S1 E2: DJ Fat Tony: Abuse, addiction and recovering from rock bottom
Big Fish with Spencer Matthews
Global
4.8 • 1.1K Ratings
🗓️ 8 November 2022
⏱️ 47 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
DJ Fat Tony is one of the most notorious hell raisers and leading figures in dance music. Raised on a council estate in South London, he ended up working in the most famous clubs in both London and New York. He’s now the official DJ to the Beckhams and Versace and best friends with Boy George and Kate Moss. But Tony’s rise to the top has been fraught with tragedy and pain. After the AIDS crisis hit London, Tony’s boyfriend was diagnosed with HIV and died shortly after and his addiction to alcohol, drugs and sex spiralled out of control. Tony is now 16 years sober and his road to recovery is utterly inspirational.
If you’ve been affected by anything discuss in this episode, the following organisations may be of help:
Samaritans: 116 123
Alcoholics Anonymous: 0800 9177 650
Narcotics Anonymous: 0300 999 1212
Transcript
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| 0:32.2 | This is a global player original podcast. |
| 0:36.1 | Suicide wasn't really an option because I was already doing it. |
| 0:39.7 | I weighed seven stone. I had no teeth. |
| 0:42.4 | I was dying. |
| 0:51.6 | Hi, I'm Spencer Matthews and welcome to my new podcast, Big Fish. |
| 0:56.3 | Join me each week as I sit down with famous CEOs, fantastic entrepreneurs, incredible designers |
| 1:01.8 | and other famous faces to discuss what it takes to be the best. |
| 1:07.2 | He's known as the most famous DJ you've never heard of, the kingpin of the 80s and 90s club scene. |
| 1:13.4 | But for most of his life, DJ Fat Tony battled addictions to drugs, sex and alcohol. |
| 1:19.0 | Tony is now sober, and his journey to recovery has been utterly inspirational. |
| 1:24.5 | Honestly, being sober myself and having the ability to talk about it with someone |
| 1:29.6 | like Tony was just remarkable. I mean, his mental resilience and sheer grit and determination |
| 1:36.7 | to become the person that he's become is honestly unbelievable. Tony, thanks so much for joining us. |
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