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Paranoid rapper Professor Green refused sex in case he caught something

Rapper Professor Green admits he shunned advances during his heyday because he was paranoid he might catch a sexually transmitted disease. He feared the music industry would kill him at his peak, but feels happier today having been diagnosed late with autism.

[Professor Green the rapper]

Professor Green was not into bed-hopping antics(Image: Getty Images)

RAPPER Professor Green had women and men throwing themselves at him at the height of his fame, but he was too paranoid to do anything about it.

The London star admits hypochondria over catching something prevented him playing around much during his youth, and he could not partake in rock 'n' roll bed-hopping antics.

Pro explained: "I've probably slept with half the people I would have if I wasn't so paranoid about catching something. I was paranoid, I would have sex with a condom on and get a test."

While he was having hits like I Need You Tonight, Green's mental health was suffering and he feared for his life at times: "The largest probem with fame are the preconceived ideas and notions people have of it.

[Pro Green at a premiere]

Pro Green has fought for better mental health support in music(Image: Getty Images)

"I had the stupid idea that if I became successful in music, that I would be absolved of all of the problems I had in my life, it would be solved, all of it."

"All the things that came with the success, at various points has nearly killed me," he told the Problem With podcast. "My dad took his own life, I said I would never, and out of just discomfort, unhappiness and fear, all of these things I was feeling at that time, could have done something which would have put my son through what I went through, that's f***ed up.

"I think there's so much danger in all of these things and we glorify it in music and film."

[Pro Green ]

Pro Green feels happier now than he did in his heyday(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

These days Professor Green has got a better handle on his mental health, thanks to being diagnosed in later life.

"I have a different understanding of myself. I was very late diagnosed autistic level 1 and severe combined ADHD. It's weird being 41 and being like 'I've got energy, I've got proper energy'."

And he's happy with his lot now, even if the chart hits have dried up: "I would argue I'm more successful now despite having less or no chart success, because I'm appreciative and really present."

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