Chris Reilly has lived several lives. From growing up surrounded by crime in 1990s Liverpool to becoming an early voice for mental health, falling into the world of drug dealing, and eventually rebuilding his life through family, purpose and helping others, his story is one of redemption as much as resilience.
Now, as he prepares to walk around the entire Isle of Man to raise funds for a free event supporting people with autism and additional needs, he’s focused firmly on making a difference through his new Abilities project. Alongside his son AJ, Chris is using his platform to champion kindness, inclusion and community. We sat down with him to talk about the experiences that shaped him, the mistakes he made, and why helping other people has become his greatest motivation.
You grew up in Liverpool 8 during the 1990s. What do you remember about that time?
Chaos, madness, and crime at almost every level you could imagine surrounded me growing up. A very close family member was deeply involved, so I was no stranger to the far less glamorous reality of the so-called “life of crime.” Despite all of that, I had an amazing upbringing. I was definitely a little spoiled as a kid! But the things you witness as a child never really leave you. They stay with you for life. I wouldn’t ever swap my parents for anyone mind you, they are the best.
You were talking publicly about mental health long before it became a mainstream conversation. What gave you the confidence to speak so openly about your experiences?
On 6 June 2006, I attempted to take my own life. What followed was months of living in a complete hell, a proper breakdown that left me feeling utterly lost. I genuinely believed I was alone, that no one else had ever experienced what I was going through.
Eventually, I decided to write about how I felt. Putting those emotions into words became an outlet, and I later recorded the piece as spoken word and shared it online. To my complete shock, it reached millions of people around the world. Back in 2006, that kind of reach was almost unheard of. Writing became a vital part of my own recovery, but the most meaningful part was discovering that my words didn’t just help me, they helped countless others realise they weren’t alone either.
Were you surprised by the response you received from people around the world, and did you realise at the time that you were becoming a voice for others struggling with similar issues?
What happened next shocked me in more ways than one. First, the speed at which everything grew. Back then, words like “viral” and “content creator” weren’t even part of my vocabulary or maybe anyone’s? I had no idea what was happening, I was simply sharing my truth.
Second, the thousands upon thousands of messages that poured in from people of every age, race, religion, and background. Complete strangers opened their hearts to me, telling me that my words had helped them through their darkest moments. It was overwhelming in the most beautiful way.
And finally, I never imagined it would lead to people recognising me in public, asking for photographs, or seeing me as someone who had made a difference in their lives. That wasn’t something I ever set out to achieve.
The greatest reward wasn’t being recognised, it was knowing I’d helped someone feel less alone. That feeling is impossible to describe. It’s a quiet, powerful sense of pride that comes from using your own pain to give someone else hope. Helping people became my purpose then, and it still is today. That’s my drug.
Despite the positive work you were doing publicly, you later became involved in drug dealing. Looking back, how did that happen, and what do you think you were searching for at that point in your life?
Honestly, I can’t blame my upbringing or the people around me. I take responsibility for my own choices. I was a kid, surrounded by a mix of well-known people, both in and out of the public eye. Like many young lads, I had a big ego. I always wanted more. I wanted to fit in with every group I was part of, to be accepted, to earn respect, and to feel important. I chased status and influence without really understanding what mattered.
Looking back, what I truly needed wasn’t more power or recognition. I needed someone to sit me down, challenge my way of thinking, and show me a better path. I needed a positive role model and, above all, I needed to let go of my ego.
How do you reflect on that chapter of your life now, and what lessons would you share with young people who may be facing similar choices?
You see those lads with the flash cars, all the money, the big personalities, and a crowd of mates who think they’re untouchable. The designer clothes, the expensive watches, and the girls on their arms like they’re another fashion accessory. Well, here’s the truth: most of it is fake.
I’ve met plenty of people living that life, and I can honestly say I’ve never met one who could genuinely say they were happy. Behind the image is paranoia, greed, ego, and fear. Every day is spent looking over your shoulder, wondering who wants what you’ve got or who’s coming for you.
These days, it’s even sadder. You’ll see people trying to project wealth and success while driving a relative’s Motability car. It’s become so common that hardly anyone even questions it anymore, but it’s a reminder that appearances can be completely misleading.
The reality is this: get yourself an honest job. It doesn’t matter whether you’re flipping burgers, working on a building site, or sitting behind a desk. You earn your money, you sleep at night, you don’t have to look over your shoulder, and your life is your own. If I could go back and choose between selling drugs or flipping burgers, I’d be asking where they keep the spatula.
How difficult is it for someone to leave that world behind and build a different life?
Much harder than people think. You don’t just wake up one morning and become someone else. When you’ve been brought up in that environment, it shapes the way you think. You’re always analysing people, always looking over your shoulder, always expecting the worst. It’s survival. That mentality becomes part of you.
Even now, I still have days where I have to check myself. My head will tell me not to let someone speak to me a certain way, not to let people take liberties, not to back down. Sometimes I’ll mess around on camera and people assume I’m soft or stupid, when really they’re seeing the version of me I’ve worked hard to become, not the version that grew up believing every bit of disrespect needed a response.
People see where I am now, but they don’t always understand where I’ve come from. I’ve had to leave two countries because of the life I was living. I’ve been shot at abroad. I’ve been stabbed a couple of times. I’ve been bottled, beaten and put in situations that still come back to me years later. Those experiences don’t just disappear because you’ve changed your postcode or your circle of friends. They stay in your head.
I’ve left that life behind, and I’m proud of that. But I’d be lying if I said I don’t still battle with parts of myself.
Your past never completely leaves you. The memories, the scars, they’re always there. But they don’t have to define your future. Every single day, I make a choice to be a better man than I was yesterday, and for me, that’s what real change looks like.
You have described meeting your partner, Billie-Jo as a turning point. What changed when she came into your life?
When I met her I knew I only had to change one thing and that one thing was everything. AJ has taught me patience, perspective, and that every child experiences the world differently. Raising a son with autism and ADHD has shown me to celebrate the small wins, let go of expectations, and focus on helping him grow into the best version of himself. More than anything, he’s made me a better person, I love him so much.
Your return to content creation started because of your son’s dream. How did that happen, and what has it been like building an audience together as father and son?
The way it happened was quite simple, he has always wanted to be a content creator. At a school works day a few years ago he went as a YouTuber. He would always ask me to do things, I’d refuse. That ship had sailed.
Yet one day he asked me to make a video and for some reason, I said let’s do it. He said “when?” and I was like, “NOW!” We do a lot together but a lot I do in his name, to make him proud. He loves me getting back on camera, I think it makes him really proud. It’s boss to be honest. His little face lights up when I tell him different things I or we have achieved.
We recently did a couple of videos for our favourite takeaway Nabzy’s and across my socials it’s done over two million views. So his face lights up if I tell a little white lie here and there and tell him he’s famous!
Tell us about the inspiration behind the Abilities project and the impact you’d like it to have for autistic people and their families.
Too many people with autism and/or additional needs get left out, shoved in the corner or completely forgotten about or, dare I say it, by many, used. I want to make them heard, get them seen, put on events, workshops, fun days, all kinds of things because there is not enough out there for them. We are all human. We all deserve to have a bit of fun, we all deserve to feel a part of something. We all deserve to be loved, cared for and for families to have a place to meet up and relax with like-minded people.
Kindness can start the moment we wake up, a good deed each day, small steps, but the goal is for a much kinder, caring community, bringing people together and supporting those that need it more.
You are hoping to walk around the entire Isle of Man. How did that idea come about, and what do you hope it achieves?
I am doing it, once I agree to something it has to get done. I have a huge thing when it comes to self-respect and loyalty. I was asked would I like to do it and I said yes. I said I’d be doing it for people with autism and additional needs. I refused to do it for charity. I refused to do it to “raise awareness”.
I am doing it because I will raise enough funds and make enough noise that it will allow me to put on a completely FREE event for people of all ages with autism and additional needs to have a beautiful day out with their parents and families. Creating a community and bringing people together.
AJ will no longer be able to join me, it’s simply too much for him. However I will be doing it alongside his mum (Billie-Jo) and Ian Radcliffe (of Daisy Inclusive).
On the 16th August we will be having an event at Daisy Inclusive FREE of charge for anyone that has autism and/or additional needs. Come along with your family.
We are bringing people together and putting 100% of every single donation towards the event. This will be the start, trust me. Please donate at gofund.me/3d11e67a6.
Follow @chrisreillypics on Instagram for updates.
