Bradby's break came after he developed insomnia, leading to an addiction to a sleeping pill, though the specific pill and treatment details remain unknown. According to Daily Express - Showbiz, Tom Bradby described taking three months off to reboot and recover after finishing the book. The exact symptoms or events of his breakdown, and how it affected his professional duties at ITV News during the break, have not been disclosed.
His novel 'Secret Service' is a five-part series that delves into espionage set against tensions between the UK and Russia. The story features Kate Henderson, a senior MI6 officer heading the Russia Desk, who uncovers evidence that a high-ranking UK politician may be a Russian asset. The identity of this politician is not revealed in the claims.
It seems obvious that Kate – as a result of all the pressure heaped upon her – is skating on the edge of acute insomnia and some kind of breakdown.
Bradby wrote 'Secret Service' faster than any of his previous works. According to Daily Express - Showbiz, Tom Bradby described the character Kate as skating on the edge of acute insomnia and some kind of breakdown due to pressure. He also noted that reading the book now makes him wonder at how the character reflected his own psychological state of mind.
And shortly after I finished it, this is exactly what happened to me. I took three months off, rebooted and recovered.
But when I read the book now, I do wonder at the way the character was a direct reflection of my own psychological state of mind.