Adam Ant Committed After Meltdown

Former '80s pop star sent to "Alice in Wonderland ward" of London psychiatric hospital following bar confrontation

By Marcus Errico Jan 16, 2002 7:50 PMTags
Adam Ant, he of goofy pirate outfits and endless choruses of "Goody Two-Shoes," has been institutionalized after a bizarre bar meltdown over the weekend.

Ant, whose real name is Stuart Goddard, was committed to the psychiatric ward of London's Royal Free Hospital on Monday, police say. Two days earlier, the Antman was arrested after allegedly snapping at a bar and waving a pistol at another patron.

"They've put me in the Alice in Wonderland ward because they think I'm crazy," Ant is quoted as telling Britain's Sun tabloid in a phone interview.

"They've sectioned me--I've been here all night. The whole thing's a conspiracy and they're just out to get me. I'm not mad."

The 47-year-old Ant was taken into police custody and charged Sunday after a scuffle with another fortysomething man at the Prince of Wales pub in North London. The exact nature of the confrontation is still sketchy. Initial reports said Ant threatened to open fire after being turned away from a private party. However, London's Mirror now says Ant was going after the man because he made threats against the rocker's four-year-old daughter.

Ant was rung up on charges of possession of a firearm or imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and with criminal damage and assault. Police had him institutionalized Monday night after receiving a call expressing concern over Ant's safety--relatives were reportedly worried he might be suicidal.

The singer was scheduled to appear in Highbury Magistrates Court on Friday, but that date will likely get pushed back.

Under Britain's Mental Health Act, doctors will be able to hold Ant for 28 days while they assess his condition.

Ant has battled depression over the years--purportedly made worse following the downturn of his career. He reportedly had his first breakdown at the age of 21 and In the early '90s, he spent three months in a clinic after another bout of depression. And last year he suffered yet another nervous breakdown.

After failing to find success as a punk band in the late '70s, Adam and the Ants (with an assist from Sex Pistols impresario Malcolm McLaren) reinvented themselves as glam rockers, slapping on makeup and funny suits and scoring a string of hits, including "Stand and Deliver" and "Prince Charming." Adam ditched the Ants for a solo career, topping the charts with "Goody Two-Shoes" in 1982 before losing his hitmaking touch. An attempt at an acting career never took off and he went back to recording, releasing the would-be comeback album Wonderful in 1995.

He was slated to re-don his vintage highwayman suit and stage an oldies tour of Britain with other '80s pop relics this spring.