Norwich City Football Club and War Paint For Men are today launching episode one of their new series “Challenging Stereotypes”, featuring national treasure Stephen Fry alongside Danny Gray, founder of the UK’s leading men’s makeup brand War Paint, and Norwich City legend, Darren Eadie.

President of mental health charity Mind, and former Norwich City director, Stephen Fry is a long time advocate for public discourse on mental health, and a candid narrator of his own experiences with bipolar disorder.

Stephen is joined by Danny Gray, who founded War Paint as a result of his struggles with body dysmorphia, and Darren Eadie, who has been vocal about his own mental health battles following a career-ending injury at 28.

In the episode, the trio delve into a multitude of topics with embracing honesty, discussing: the impact of lockdown, the universal inclination to conceal and mask your mental health, the prevalence of male suicide, and their own mental health journeys.

Revising the measure of courage, Stephen Fry said, “There's a recognition that courage and bravery, which are supposedly a manly quality, comes from people who admit their flaws. There’s nothing brave about saying I am very strong and fast and I am good at football, that’s just boasting, it’s not brave. But brave is saying I have weaknesses, I have fears, I have a secret…That’s courage.”

Speaking on the importance of addressing your mental health, Danny Gray said, “When you talk about it, you start to feel better. The first step is always the hardest, to admit you have a problem. Once you do that, you learn to deal with it. It’s never going to go away for me, but I have learned to manage it.”

War Paint, the revolutionary men’s makeup brand, is partnered with Norwich City FC for the 2020 / 21 season. The partnership grew from a shared commitment to progress in men’s mental health and, together, both brands aim to challenge stereotypes, start conversations and break down the boundaries that can confine men.

The full episode is out now on Norwich City FC’s YouTube channel.