“I want to be the best version of myself.” Lesbian comedian and presenter Sue Perkins opens up about her recent ADHD diagnosis

Lesbian comedian and presenter Sue Perkins has opened up about living with ADHD, saying that she refuses to use her diagnosis as an excuse for her behaviour.

The 55-year-old, known for co-hosting The Great British Bake Off and as one half of comedy duo Mel and Sue, said her recent diagnosis has brought clarity to certain aspects of her life.

“It was useful to have,” she explained.

“I now understand why some things make me very upset and stressed. I understand why I lose everything, why I can’t prepare for things, why I don’t like repetition.”

Perkins says navigating a world often structured around routines and expectations, which can be difficult for people with ADHD.

However, she maintains a proactive approach, she says: “I live in a world where those things are expected, so it’s not about going, ‘I can’t and I won’t because I’ve got a certificate.’”

Instead, she strives to understand her condition and manage its impact on her life.

“I don’t weaponise it to make excuses for things that I do that aren’t optimal. I want to be the best version of myself.”

According to the NHS, adults with ADHD typically show signs of being inattentive and struggling to concentrate. This may include having a lot of energy, feeling restless, being forgetful and finding it hard to organise your time.

They may also show signs of being more hyperactive or impulsive such as being very talkative, interrupting conversations, as well as making quick decisions without thinking about the results or consequences.

Sue will soon be touring her new stand up show, The Eternal Shame Of Sue Perkins.