Rory Douglas-Speed confides outlook on living with disease that has ‘vast’ mental impact

For years, Rory Douglas-Speed became a familiar face to soap fans as Hollyoaks favourite Joel Dexter, navigating dramatic storylines and life-changing twists on screen. But away from the cameras, the actor has been dealing with a very different challenge for most of his life.

Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a child, Rory has spoken openly in recent years about living with the condition. Now, during Diabetes Awareness Week (8th-14th June) and ahead of Men’s Mental Health Week (15th-21st June), he chatted to Metro, reflecting on the often unseen mental toll that comes with managing a disease that never takes a day off.

It’s a subject he’s passionate about, particularly because he believes many people still don’t understand the reality of living with diabetes.

‘It’s one of these things that’s really completely unseen,’ Rory explained. ‘I think 85% of people tend to hide the fact they’ve got it, be it conscious or not.’

While insulin pumps, injections and blood sugar checks are part of daily life for millions of people, Rory says the biggest challenge is often what’s happening mentally behind the scenes.

‘The mental side of it is vast, and everybody’s different,’ he said. ‘You’re making 150 extra decisions a day. On top of that, you’ve got these neurochemicals that have such a massive, and sometimes detrimental effect on your whole outlook on a day-to-day.’

For Rory, understanding the true impact of the condition has been something of a revelation.

‘I personally feel like I handled it pretty well my whole life since diagnosis,’ he admitted. ‘But only since moving treatment, I realise how much it’s actually impacted my life.’

The actor’s perspective has shifted significantly over the past year, which has been one of the most transformative periods of his life.

After making the difficult decision to leave Hollyoaks, where he had spent years playing Joel, Rory took what he describes as a major leap into the unknown.

‘It’s been good, you know,’ he said. ‘I took a big risk in leaving because I had everything there, but I just got to the point where I was, I need a change.’

Although the move wasn’t without its challenges, he has no regrets.

‘I think I’ve learned more this year about myself than I have in the last 10,’ he reflected. ‘It’s been a good year, actually. Ups and downs, but good nonetheless.’

Part of that self-discovery has involved recognising how diabetes was affecting him even during some of his busiest years on set.

Today, Rory is much more open about the difficulties he faced while filming. However, during his time on Hollyoaks, he often pushed through challenging moments without drawing attention to them.

‘If you’d asked me this two years ago, I would’ve always replied, ‘It’s fine, it’s fine, don’t worry about it,’ he said.

Looking back now, he realises he was often placing enormous pressure on himself to keep going.

‘There were times I’d been taking hypos on set. I wouldn’t say anything because I’ll get the scene done and I’ll go off then again. I didn’t want to make a fuss.’

Like many people living with chronic conditions, Rory was determined not to be seen as a problem.

‘I don’t want to be a diva,’ he laughed.

But television sets are demanding environments, with long days and little room for error.

‘The days were tough, you know, you’re on set 12 hours a day.’

Since changing his diabetes treatment and using an Omnipod system, Rory says life has become significantly easier.

‘It’s taken away so much stress. It’s made me so much more present in performance.’

The difference has been so profound that it’s changed how he views both his health and his career.

‘I need to always ask myself, what came first, the chicken or the egg? Did the confidence come from being on set? Or does the confidence come from wearing this on my arm and knowing that everything feels a bit more under control for me?’

Alongside managing his condition, Rory has also become passionate about fitness and the impact it can have on mental wellbeing.

Ironically, he wasn’t always a gym enthusiast.

‘I used to be somebody who would go to the gym and not want to go,’ he admitted. ‘I would sit in my car outside the gym for half an hour and think of an excuse not to go and drive off.’

These days, however, exercise has become a key part of his routine.

‘I’ve realised now that if I don’t go and train and I don’t stay healthy, it has a detrimental impact on my mental health.’

For him, movement provides clarity and perspective during difficult periods.

‘If I’m feeling a type of way, I know if I get my body moving, everything passes.’

The actor now describes exercise as a ‘cheat code’ for both his physical and mental well-being.

‘I feel the best that I’ve felt, and my blood’s been the best it’s ever been.’

The conversation naturally turns to men’s mental health, an issue Rory feels deserves far more attention.

Although he’s always been comfortable discussing his feelings, he understands why many men struggle to open up.

‘I think sometimes it’s seen as a weakness in a man,’ he explained. ‘We say, “Don’t worry about me, I’m fine.” Which is classic.’

When combined with a condition like diabetes, those pressures can become even harder to manage.

‘It’s a tough mix,’ he said. ‘It’s got to change.’

One of the biggest barriers, he believes, is worrying about how others might react.

‘It often just comes down to being seen as broken, and that’s really sad for so many people.’

Instead, Rory wants people to embrace vulnerability and honesty.

‘I think there’s so much strength in showing something off that you might feel is seen as weak or broken. I think it’s special.’

His advice for anyone struggling is refreshingly straightforward.

‘Communication is absolutely key, and you’ll never be judged.’

He continued: ‘If something is authentic to you and you truly feel it, you can’t argue with it.’

For Rory, opening up can be life-changing.

‘Saying it to someone, either a professional or a loved one, is so freeing.’

His message is simple.

‘Just talk.’

Looking ahead, Rory is entering an exciting new phase professionally. While he’s keeping details under wraps, he revealed that several projects are already on the horizon.

‘I’ve got a couple of things coming out this year, which I’m really excited about.’

Among them is a major television project he describes as a ‘big bucket list thing’, as well as a BFI short film that pushed him far outside his comfort zone.

‘It really, really has made me nervous,’ he admitted. ‘But again, big tick, you know, I did something I hadn’t done before.’

As for whether soap fans could one day see him popping up elsewhere, Rory certainly isn’t ruling it out.

‘If the opportunity came up, I’d 100% try for it. I would go for the audition.’

For now, though, he’s focused on building relationships, exploring new opportunities and continuing to grow both personally and professionally.

And if there’s one lesson he’s learned from the last year, it’s not to ignore the things that could improve your life.

‘If you’ve got a feeling something will benefit you, and you put it off because you’re stubborn, just do it,’ he said.

Reflecting on finally changing his diabetes treatment after years of hesitation, he added: ‘I put it off for 20 years, and it’s changed everything for me.’

His final message is one that extends far beyond diabetes.

‘Stop being stubborn, man. Do it.’