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Will Young has revealed how his love for gardening has helped him to deal with his anxiety disorder.

The singer and actor appeared on Gardeners' World from his stunning farmhouse at Blisland near Bodmin, and showed Joe Swift around his home.

Will, who put his house in Cornwall on the market last year after 13 years in the duchy, shared the property with his two dogs, Esme, a border terrier and Nelly, a dachshund, as well as rescued moorland ponies.

Will admits his love of gardening was passed on through his parents who were also keen gardeners.

"I started coming down to Cornwall because I was doing politics in Exeter and then when I went into pop I wanted to find a place for some seclusion.

"I found this wonderful house and my parents came down around six years ago and created this amazing garden."

"I actually earned the money for my Pop Idol audition through gardening, so without it I don't know where I would be today," he added.

The home, which consists of a two/three bedroom farmhouse and a one bedroom detached barn, became Will's safe haven, with plenty of space to garden.

During the house tour Will admitted how much the hobby has helped him with his mental health struggles.

"I got very ill," he told Joe. "I have anxiety disorder, so gardening really grounds me and it really helps. I like to feel the earth and it's sensory so it's definitely become a saviour.

"Now it is something I deliberately put into my routine. I really started getting into it when I was in treatment."

Over the years Will has planted a beech hedge and wild flowers, and built a firepit from rocks that have tumbled from the dry-stone walls.

"I think the process of creating something is miraculous," he continued.

"You have to be patient and you have to nurture, and the act of nurturing something else aids you to nurture yourself."

"People talk about pills etc which do work but gardening and nature is a brilliant healer - it's just the best."

Will also said he has written many song lyrics in the garden, finding it easier to 'clear his head' and let the words flow.

He also encourages anyone that might be suffering with anxiety to give gardening a try.

"Don't be afraid, start with one plant and don't be deterred because it's all trial and error.

"I was speaking to a friend the other day and she said to me 'when in doubt garden', and I just thought that was lovely.'

Will Young's seventh album Lexicon is out now.