Daniel Radcliffe Says 'Harry Potter' Turned Him into an Alcoholic

Daniel Radcliffe is opening up about dealing with fame at a young age.

During a new interview on BBC Radio 4′s Desert Island Discs feature, the 30-year-old actor says that playing the lead in the Harry Potter franchise turned him into an alcoholic.

“If I went out and if I got drunk, I’d suddenly be aware of there being interest in that because it’s not just a drunk guy,” Daniel shared. “It’s ‘Oh, Harry Potter’s getting drunk in the bar.’ And then as you get very drunk, you become aware that ‘Oh, people are watching more now because now I’m getting very drunk, so I should probably drink more to ignore that more.’”

Daniel said that he turned to alcohol to deal with fame as well as when he worried about what he would do once the Harry Potter franchise ended.

“A lot of drinking that happened towards the end of Potter and for a little bit after it finished, it was panic, a little bit not knowing what to do next – not being comfortable enough in who I was to remain sober,” Daniel said.

Daniel continued: “You can also just see people go to drugs and drink because it’s fun and they’re available and it seems like a good idea, and there’s nobody around you talking about the consequences or being honest about that.”

Daniel, who has now been sober since 2010, went on to praise his parents and fellow Harry Potter actors “who were able to give me enough perspective on my life and help me at key moments.”

Not that long ago, Daniel revealed if he wants to play Harry Potter again.

Also pictured inside: Daniel Radcliffe leaving the BBC Studios on Sunday (March 15) after his play Endgame closed early because of the coronavirus outbreak in London, England.