SLEEP SEX
Bake Off winner John Whaite reveals he suffers from sexomnia and wakes up groping his boyfriend in the night
BAKE OFF winner John Whaite has revealed he suffers from sexomnia, causing him to grope his boyfriend in the night.
The chef, 31, opened up about the rare condition on Channel 4's Steph's Packed Lunch, describing it as the opposite of a nightmare.
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He told host Steph McGovern: “You have night terrors, I have night pleasures because I have sexomnia.
“In the night, I’ll be fast asleep... My boyfriend wakes up and I’ll be fondling him. He’s having the time of his life and I’m fast asleep.”
Sexomnia is a type of parasomnia much like sleepwalking or night terrors.
Sufferers can fondle or even have sexual intercourse with partners while fully asleep and unaware of their actions.
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Stress, lack of sleep and drink and drugs can all trigger episodes in sufferers, who often already sleep talk or walk.
Broadcaster Steph questioned if John had sought medical advice, but the baking champ said a doctor dismissed it as a made up condition.
He explained: “When I lived in London I went to the doctors and he just said that’s not a thing.
"But I went on doctor website and it’s real thing. It was in Desperate Housewives, Eva Longoria had it!”
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What is sexomnia
Sexomnia is a rare form of parasomnia with less than 10 per cent of people with sleep disorders experiencing it.
Sufferers can perform sexual acts on themselves others while asleep, unaware of their actions
Drink, drugs, lack of sleep and stress are all considered triggers
More sleep is said to help the condition but sleeping medication can exacerbate the condition
It's been a tough ride for John since his Bake Off triumph back in 2012.
He struggled to deal with the fame that his victory brought, becoming addicted to the glitzy lifestyle and turning to drink.
As other Bake Off series came and went and newer contestants were more in demand, John became depressed.
Writing in last year, he said: "Some days I’d wish I had never been on the show, because in reality, it totally derailed me from a steady lifepath.
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John said: "What I failed to remember though, was that age-old mantra: be careful what you wish for.
"Because as the next batch of Bake Off stars emerged, my appeal shrank.
"Year on year, the working days became fewer and financial offers were smaller."
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John was just 23 years old and studying for his law exams when he dazzled the judges.
The Manchester-based champion decided to put his career at a bar on hold in favour of taking classes at the esteemed school, Le Cordon Bleu.
John, who has been baking since he was five, has since managed to carve himself out a successful media career.
He appeared as resident chef on ITV’s Lorraine and made guest appearances on What's Cooking, This Morning and Sunday Brunch.
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He has also released three cookbooks, John Whaite Bakes, John Whaite Bakes At Home and Perfect Plates In Five Ingredients.
Steph’s Packed Lunch airs weekdays at 12.30pm on Channel 4.
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