Beyond the spotlight: Casualty's Olly Rix opens up on SANE partnership
Casualty star Olly Rix has become an ambassador for the independent mental health charity, SANE.
Olly Rix does not see fame as a distraction and instead focuses on "integrity and meaning" in what he does.
And that is why the 41-year-old actor wanted to become an ambassador for the independent mental health charity, SANE.
Olly exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I don't even know what the word 'celebrity' means, to be honest. You don't really think about stuff like that. It’s not a clothing deal or a brand deal, or I'm not representing BMW or something.
"But, for me, questions of status or celebrity or something are just to do with monetisation and other things and other considerations that mostly just don't really need to be brought to the table here.
"The main question here is a question of integrity and meaning, and providing you're satisfied you can fulfil those obligations, then I think it's worthwhile.
"I don't think it's a distraction. I don't really think about those things."
The Casualty star thinks famous figures can help raise awareness of good causes, as long as they do not take the spotlight away from charities.
Olly said: "Further into any conversation, visibility is obviously paramount, and something that the charity themselves want.
"And a sense that each individual charity brings its own sort of flavour and perspective, but it's part of a broader conversation. It's not compulsive or competitive, and the same with people representing them. We're all in the same game. We're all on the same side.
"Any further conversation that you can have by virtue of being close to each other in the same industry is really helpful.
"And I think, provided things are done in such a way as not to be self-aggrandising or take any focus off the charity itself, that's absolutely the most essential part.
"When you really come to making these decisions, you just think, 'Can I really help here, and is this going to be an addition rather than a subtraction to a message?'
"And I think in this case, it's definitely an addition."
The Our Girl entertainer has not experienced this type of support for his own mental health, but he stressed that does not lessen the importance of helping others.
Olly said: "It's not something I've ever utilised or needed myself, but again, I think that would just be lucky, you know?
"And I'm not so foolish as to think that that time might not come. I don't think I'm immune to anything - I don't think anybody’s immune to anything, I think I've been fortunate to not have to lean on that.
"But that's not a reason not to help without having experienced it first hand. And I’ve certainly witnessed people who needed it first-hand."
The Of Kings and Prophets cast member was "flattered" when SANE approached him to become an ambassador, but Olly initially felt reluctant to agree until he knew what he was getting himself into.
However, worries over being a "right fit" or if he can "bring expertise" were "totally outweighed" by the "extraordinary" work the independent charity does.
SANE founder-and-CEO Marjorie Wallace CBE, Countess Skarbek, explained to Olly how it aims to raise awareness and understanding of mental health, improve services and promote research.
The star ultimately called supporting the charity, be it with fundraising events, such as running the mammoth 26.2-mile London Marathon, "a no-brainer" after he was "just so taken" with SANE's work, the "remarkable" volunteers, and their stories.
Olly said: "I think I'm at such a point in life where I'm so much more interested in community, ideas of service, and being useful in a truly meaningful way, and that kind of work is faultless in that respect, so it's a lovely and timely opportunity."
Olly joins the likes of I'm A Celebrity..Get Me Out Of Here! 2025 star Ruby Wax, 73, Loose Women panellist Denise Welch, 67, and Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley, 49, as ambassadors of SANE.
For more information about SANE, click here.
