Lorraine Kelly branded Stephanie Davis’ relationship with Jeremy McConnell “toxic” during an interview with the former Hollyoaks star today.
The Scottish TV host said she was glad to see Stephanie looking so well after being concerned about her while watching Celebrity Big Brother in 2016.
She told her: “I really wish you all the best. I have watched in abject horror at seeing your life unravel and I think it’s been awful. I’m very glad [you’re happy now], especially for your little boy, as he’s the most important thing.”
Steph and Jeremy share son Caben, one, who was born in January 2017 following their rocky romance, which began in the CBB house.
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Lorraine asked Stephanie: “Where you in the right frame of mind to go into something like Celebrity Big Brother? You looked fragile and vulnerable and you’re in that situation that I couldn’t cope with…”
Steph replied: “It was the wrong thing. Obviously I don’t regret it as I have [my son] Caben, but I didn’t know who I was. I was so young. I was getting to know myself. I didn’t know what I liked. I wasn’t confident.
“It was just the wrong thing. But I can’t regret it because I have Caben. But if I did it now it be completely different.”
Lorraine then said: “You could see you were struggling and, of course, you meet Jeremy McConnell and that is the most toxic relationship. You could see it in there.
“I was shouting at my television, ‘run!'”
Steph laughed: “I should have. I wish I’d listened to you!”
When asked why she kept going back to Jeremy, Steph said: “I knew it was wrong.
“I think it’s the whole environment and with people like that, they give you the image they want you to see. I fell in love with him in the house, I really did, head over heels. The love of my life. We’d get married, live happily ever after.
“Then things began to change and it was just a downward spiral, really fast and dark.
“It was hard as in my head I wanted that person back in the house so I stayed with him because I wanted that person, but it was kind of a grieving process to find that person wasn’t real and let it go.”
Stephanie and Jeremy’s relationship ended last year.
In August, Jeremy was found guilty of assaulting Steph in March 2017, and handed a suspended sentence.
However, he was jailed for 18 weeks just before Christmas after failing to complete the required community service. He had chosen to fly to Turkey to undergo a hair transplant instead.
Jeremy was released after 34 days behind bars.
Steph, 24, appeared on Lorraine after revealing she’d spent two months in rehab for alcohol addiction, following fears she wouldn’t live to see her son’s first birthday.
She spoke of the pressures of the entertainment industry and how she was just a teenager when she found fame on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Over The Rainbow, before going on to appear in Hollyoaks and then Celebrity Big Brother.
“It was the best decision of my life and it changed everything, it was just an eye-opener,” said Steph, recalling her time in rehab.
“It was that bad. Literally my self-worth was on the floor. Back then I told my life coach I didn’t see myself getting to Christmas. It was really bad. It’s sad to say that and to think I was ever feeling that low. I can’t believe I ever got to that point.”
Stephanie said alcohol “doesn’t agree with me” but it took her time to realise she was an alcoholic.
“I had an alcoholic in my head as a homeless person on the street. I didn’t think I could be an alcoholic as I’m young and have it all. But I knew something wasn’t right.”
Looking to the future, Stephanie said she wants to use her experience to help other people who may be having issues with alcohol or domestic violence.
She also wants to get her acting career back on track.
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But the soap star added: “I’m so thankful for my journey and everything I’ve been through as it’s made me the person I am today. All I want to be is the best mum I can be. He’s my world. And if I can even help just one person…
“I don’t want to be attached to that anymore. It’s history. I’m looking forward.”
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