• Fury opens up about mental health and addiction issues • 30-year-old says his faith helped him return to the ring

Tyson Fury has opened up about his experience with depression, saying he “gave up on life” in 2016 while dealing with mental health issues, alcoholism and drug addiction.

The 30-year-old, who returned to boxing after a two-and-a-half-year absence in June this year, told the video podcast The Joe Rogan Experience that he “wanted to die so bad” at the lowest points of his absence from the sport.

“I would start thinking these crazy thoughts,” Fury said. “I bought a brand new Ferrari convertible in the summer of 2016. I was in it on the highway and at the bottom I got the car up to 190mph and heading towards a bridge.

“I didn’t care about nothing. I just wanted to die so bad. I gave up on life but, as I was heading to the bridge, I heard a voice saying: ‘No, don’t do this Tyson. Think about your kids, your family, your sons and daughter growing up without a dad.’”

Tyson discussed how his life spiralled out of control in 2015 after he defeated Wladimir Klitschko to become WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion.

“I’d wake up and think, ‘Why did I wake up this morning?’ And this is coming from a man who won everything. Money, fame, glory, titles, a wife, family and kids – everything.”

Fury, who will fight Deontay Wilder for the WBC world title in December, said he visited a psychiatrist but was able to mount his comeback only through his faith in God.

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“I was out at Halloween in 2017 dressed as a skeleton but I was 29 and everyone was younger. I thought, ‘Is this what I want from my life?’ I left early and went home into a dark room, took the skeleton suit off and I prayed to God to help me. I’d never begged God to help me. I could feel tears running down my face.

“I almost accepted that being an alcoholic was my fate but after praying for 10 minutes, I got up and felt the weight was lifted off my shoulders. For the first time in my life I thought I was going to be OK. I knew I couldn’t do it on my own.”

• In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org. In the US the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international suicide helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.