Bruce Springsteen says depression is something which still affects his life, occasionally returning to "bite him in the arse".

The musician opened up about his mental health while appearing on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs on Sunday (November 18). He said his wife Patti Scialfa and medication have helped him cope.

Springsteen said: "It is something that has been a part of my life. It is usually OK, but like Churchill’s ‘black dog’, it still jumps up and bites you in the arse sometimes. Patti’s very helpful, and sometimes just time. Or sometimes the correct medication, you need the right drugs. That can really help also.

“These are all things that can pull you back into your life and certainly in my case how blessed my life has been. I have developed some skills that help me deal with it but still, it is a powerful, powerful thing, it really comes up and there are things that still remain unexplainable to me."

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Watch Bruce Springsteen get in the festive spirit recently: