'I was a helpless addict with no direction or will to live': DJ Fat Tony reflects on his 28-year drug and alcohol addiction as he celebrates 19 years of recovery with inspiring post

DJ Fat Tony has reflected on his 28-year drug and alcohol addiction as he celebrates 19 years of recovery with an inspiring post. 

The music star, 60, real name Tony Marnach, took to Instagram and opened up about his transformation, revealing that he was 'a helpless addict with no direction or will to live'.

Sharing the candid post with his Instagram followers, Tony wrote: 'This was me 20 years ago I was a helpless addict with no direction or will too live all I had was the desire to use drugs and alcohol a 28 year addiction that destroyed me and my entire friends and family all I wanted to do is die.

'TODAY I’m CELEBRATING 19 YEARS OF RECOVERY. 

'I’m so grateful for the people that gave me the love and strength to get clean and sober thank you ….

'Today I LOVE LIFE one day at a time.

'THANK YOU to everyone that is in my world I couldn’t do it without you always remember when we we hit rock bottom there is only one way to go and that’s up Recovery is everything I highly recommend it X'

It comes after Tony celebrated his milestone 60th birthday with some of his closest showbiz friends in November.

For once, the popular DJ was in front of the decks while raising a glass at upmarket Soho Mews House in London, where he was joined by husband Stavros Agapiou. 

Culture Club singer Boy George, TV presenter Davina McCall and Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney - one of Tony's closest celebrity pals - were also in attendance as the celebrations got underway. 

With EastEnders star Jessie Wallace and drag queen Jodie Harsh adding to a select guest list at the Lancashire Court venue, Tony was urged to make a wish after being presented with a special 60th birthday cake, complete with candles. 

The DJ later exited Soho House with a large bouquet of flowers as he made his way back to the north London home he shares with Stavros. 

The couple exchanged vows at London's Welsh Chapel in May, with Culture Club star George serving as Tony's best man and Sweeney among the array of celebrity guests. 

In 2023, the DJ admitted he chose the church because of its support for the gay community at the height of the HIV and AIDS crisis in the 1980s and '90s.

He said at the time: 'This church was the only place that had love and compassion for our community. I want to get married there because, for me, it's full circle. 

'It's for everybody that didn't make it to that point.'

Ahead of his big day, a source told The Sun: 'Tony is one of the most popular people on the London celebrity circuit and his wedding is going to be packed full of stars.

'No one had Kate, Gemma and Claire in a bridal party on their bingo cards this year, though. It's going to be incredible to see them lining up together.

'Tony and Stavros have put a lot of thought into their big day and it's going to be one to remember.' 

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Tony - who overcame a crippling addiction to drugs and alcohol more than 16 years ago - admitted he still suffers from bad imposter syndrome, despite working in the industry for over 30 years.

He explained: 'Since I got sober that reconnection to music is the best gift anyone could ever give me. Some people listen to music but I feel music, it is the best drug there ever is.

'When you feel music it can take you to places no substance can ever take you, music is enough.'  

He added: 'Alcohol and drugs aren't the problem, I'm the problem.

'Being around it is no longer a problem for me because I choose not to do it. People ask me if I miss it and I think 'are you insane?'

'My life is so incredible because of the things I don't do. 

'If I started doing those things again my life would be over, my career would be over.'

Tony had an epiphany and he soon quit drugs cold turkey, spending six months in rehab to beat the addiction.

He added: 'The first 3 months I thought how am I going to do this because for me there was no second chances, I'd reached the end of the road with drink and drugs.

'I got to 7 stone, I had no teeth, I was completely gone. Suddenly the pilot light came on one night and the love from one person saved my life.

'From that moment on I chose to go to rehab for 6 months and then come to London, it was a really big thing because I knew at that point I would never go back.'