Popular 90s club DJ Brandon Block has been named as a special VIP guest for the upcoming Wellbeing by the Lakes festival.

He’ll be talking about his life and experiences at the four-day event.

The festival is at the 26-acre picturesque sculpture park, Sculpture by the Lakes, at Pallington this Thursday September 8 to Sunday September  11.

Returning for its third year, it includes a wide variety of wellness educators and advocates, from best-selling authors and life coaches to fitness and yoga instructors.

They’ll be highlighting practices to help those attending to live more mindfully, be at peace and feel happier and healthier.

Brandon, pictured left, rose to fame as a DJ in the 90s.

The 55-year-old will be discussing his book and his struggles with his bad habits and behaviours, going from an ‘Ibiza nutter’ who was lying on his death bed, to a mental health campaigner helping  others with their drug and alcohol struggles.

He said: ““The life of a 90s DJ is riddled with substance abuse as you can imagine.

“There were times I didn’t think I’d make it to see the next day.

“Clubland had snorted me up one nostril and blown me out of the other.

“Now I’m trying to make sure others don’t make the same mistakes that I did.

“I now spend much of my time helping others with their demons using my wild experiences as an example of how not to do it.

“I’m really looking forward to sharing my story at Wellbeing by the Lakes and hope to make a mark on those who are after some solace themselves.”

Since stepping back from non-stop DJ sets, Brandon has made a variety of guest appearances on shows and talk shows, such as Celebrity Big Brother House and Come Dine With Me.

He’ll be joined by Ellie Loves, Breathwork Healer and Guide, on the Riverside Stage on Friday, September 9, for a panel conversation on ‘Sobriety for the Sober Curious’ from 12.30 to 1.30pm.

Among the other headliners on the Riverside Stage will be:

• Yoga teacher and sound-healer, Preet Kaur, who will lead a sound-healing gong and immersion meditation session
• Self-proclaimed ‘tree hugger’ and best-selling author, Cheryl Rickman, leading a conversation on learning wellness from the woods
• Dr Krishan Raymed who will cover the topic of ‘The Power of Posture’ and how it impacts on your life
• Yellow Kite author, Dr Jenny Goodman
• A special live piano performance by Ed Chivers, who will conduct a ‘lie down and listen’ music performance.

Nasreen El-Mariesh, Organiser of Wellbeing by the Lakes, pictured right, said: “Brandon’s talk on his struggles will make a powerful addition to our four-day programme of guest speakers.

“It’s a subject that needs to be explored more in the wider world and we need to change the stigma around substance abuse and mental health.”

The festival is open from 10am to 6pm daily.

Tickets cost £17.50, and other bookable workshops and classes are available.

No children under the age of 14 or dogs (except for guide dogs) can be permitted.

More information and tickets is available here.