The much-loved TV host opened up about the moment he realised he had a problem with drinking and it was time to stop.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph he expressed he “was standing at the doorway of a very dark room”, which was his way of describing being hung-over on holidays with his wife Lisa and his eldest son Leo, four.
The moment that changed everything was when his son, then three-and-a-half commented that “Daddy isn’t well”, it was then David had an epiphany.
“I felt shame. I couldn’t stand by and watch this be normalised with the next generation. I wanted to be a role model for him. I wanted to be the best father I could – I still do.
“So I quit alcohol and I have never been happier. Now a year on, I have tripled my number of children and my resolve,” he said proudly.
The famed son of Jimmy Barnes, understands the issues that stem from watching a parent and a role model who has an addiction, decided to stop his family’s alcoholism stops with himself.
“My father (musician Jimmy Barnes) has, one could say, a reputation of being the hardest partying rock star Australia has produced.” David said.
“He [Jimmy] told me today on the phone ‘I should have frightened you off booze’. Except it didn’t. It kind of had the opposite effect.”
Fatherhood has changed David’s outlook on life, which spurred a passionate discussion on the Today show.
David Campbell while on the Today show & Jimmy Barnes with Billy and Betty.
David got into a heated discussion with host, Karl Stefanovic over Shane Warne asking the Australian cricket team whether they were “thirsty” – and exactly how thirsty they were.
“I hated it. Not because of Warnie – we expect him to be flippant. He was talking about how long the guys intended to celebrate. Rightfully so, they had earned it.” David explained to
The Telegraph about his reaction when on the Today show.
“I don’t want my kids to grow up to think drinking is wrong, but I sure as hell don’t want them to grow up thinking that getting drunk is expected of them. I changed my habits so that they have an example of someone who doesn’t drink. In doing so, I hope I’ve stopped the cycle of alcoholism in my family.
“I want to do good for my family. I want to do better.”
