Loose Women viewers have described Penny Lancaster as “brave” and “inspirational” after she candidly opened up about being sexually assaulted as a teenager.
The wife of Rod Stewart was visibly upset as she recounted her horrific ordeal to the panel as part of a discussion on the #MeToo campaign.
She broke down as she spoke about how, as a young, aspiring model, she had worked with and trusted a man – only for him to brutally betray her and take her virginity at the same time.
Penny, 46, explained: “Like in the series Liar, my drink was drugged and I can’t remember much of what happened. I just know he was on top of me and enjoying the experience, but I certainly wasn’t.
“I don’t really remember much more.”
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The star was supported by fellow panellists Nadia Sawalha, Jane Moore and Andrea McLean as she explained how she’d been invited to an event with the man and decided to go along as it could leave to more work.
She said on the way to the event, he needed to stop at his apartment, which is where the attack happened.
“He had a little bar in his apartment and said he’d pour me a drink while he went and got his bits, so I was like,’ okay’… and unfortunately the next thing I know -and I don’t even remember drinking the drink – is I found myself face down with him on bed on top of me.”
With her voice breaking, the model continued: “I couldn’t tell my mum and dad because I thought they’d say, ‘What on earth were you doing going back to his house?’
“But he was the guy I’d worked with, and he promised I’d meet other people. I was just naive, I trusted him.”
Penny said she’d never had sex before the horrific attack, and the experience frightened her.
Viewers were in tears watching Penny recall the traumatic incident, with one tweeting: “Crying at Loose Women right now.”
Another said: “Absolutely moved at Penny Lancaster’s admission on Loose Women. You are such a brave lady and will have positively helped the #MeToo campaign.”
A third added: “Much respect for you. Very brave and so important to share such a horrible thing.”
And a fourth agreed: “Very brave of Penny Lancaster to speak out about the awful ordeal she went through when she was younger.”
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Penny spoke during a Loose Women discussion on the #MeToo social media campaign, to explain why some women may not report sexual assaults at the time they happen.
In her case, it was because she felt too afraid and worried, as a young woman, she’d get into trouble.
The #MeToo campaign has seen men and women across the world using social media to recount their own experience of sexual assault and harassment.