Oldham was 26 when he lost his place with British Gymnastics, and it was in 2019 that he says he was diagnosed with depression and anxiety.
By the time he retired from the sport in 2021, he was working as a labourer on a building site and training part-time. Still, he recalls it as a “fairytale finish”, having claimed gold in the high bars event at the British Championships.
What has brought him back to the sport half a decade later, and the reason he is competing in Basildon, Essex, over the weekend, is to once again compete for the fun of a sport that brought him years of joy before it ever delivered glory or frustration.
And with a fundraising effort, external also part of the appearance – both for Parkinson’s UK and the suicide prevention charity, Samaritans, his comeback cameo is of deeply personal significance.
“For me it’s two charities I’m really passionate about,” Oldham said.
“My father-in-law-to-be, Alistair, is an incredible man and he has Parkinson’s. He’s become a very important figure in my life.
“Then there is the Samaritans. I’ve had to call them and and ask for advice in the past. Just being able to do that made the world of difference because at the time I felt pretty helpless.
“Having that advice on the other end of the phone was huge.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(471x244:473x246)/CNN-New-Years-Eve-with-Anderson-Cooper-123124-9952e5f00fc1425f87113ba2bfb97b29.jpg "Anderson Cooper Says He Once ‘Hated’ New Year’s Eve While Co-Hosting CNN Broadcast")
