Chizzy Akudolu on Loose Women
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Strictly’s Chizzy Akudolu opens up about addiction

She also spoke about her struggle with emotional eating

Chizzy Akudolu struggled to hold back tears as she opened up about her shopping addiction on Thursday’s Loose Women.

The Strictly Come Dancing star, 44, revealed she used to shop “a lot” and to the point she got herself into debt.

But as Chizzy – who also spoke about her struggles with emotional eating – explained her addictions she became teary and hid her face from the camera.

Chizzy Akudolu on Loose Women
Chizzy hid her face away from the camera as she became emotional (Credit: ITV)

Read more: Holby City’s Chizzy Akudolu reveals she hit a “massive low” after Strictly Come Dancing

The panel were discussing different kinds of addiction when Andrea McLean asked Chizzy to speak about hers.

She said: “You touched on one more addiction there, shopping addiction. You think, don’t do it, but it’s hard. This is something which has affected you, Chizzy.”

Chizzy replied: “Yeah, years ago, I used to shop a lot to the point I got into debt.”

Chizzy Akudolu on Loose Women
Andrea reassured her that they will help her deal with her addiction (Credit: ITV)

She continued: “I was buying stuff as my therapist told me it was trying to replace love I was missing.

“All my family are brilliant, talking about partnership.”

Andrea continued: “You’re being incredibly quiet and reluctant to talk, is it because it’s too difficult and raw?”

Chizzy replied: “I feel like I got to that place now where I’ve spoke about it so much, and I just need to do something about it.”

Chizzy Akudolu on Loose Women

Andrea then asked Chizzy how she feels about having therapy for her problem, only for it to help her for a little while.

Chizzy emotionally said: “I guess I just feel like a failure, I suppose. It’s a problem I have created.”

Nadia hit back: “You’re too hard on yourself, you’ve made the first step saying you can’t control it and that is an amazing step to take. Really brave.”

As Chizzy started to tear up, Andrea told her: “We will help you. It’s not a failure, success is not one big line.

Chizzy Akudolu on Loose Women
Chizzy struggled to contain her emotions while discussing her addiction (Credit: ITV)

“Don’t you worry, girl, we have got you.”

The former Holby City actress also opened up about her battles with emotional eating.

She admitted she once considered getting a gastric band.

Chizzy said: “I feel like I need a total refit up there [her brain], at one point, I wanted a gastric band.

Chizzy Akudolu on Loose Women
Chizzy opened up about her struggle with emotional eating (Credit: ITV)

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“I really have just lost control now, started going gym that’s not gonna work if I don’t tackle food. I eat when happy, sad, good, bad news. I just turn to food.”

Becoming emotional, she added: “I feel so addicted to the struggle. I love dieting, I can control something for a minute, but the dieting doesn’t work.”

Can you relate to Chizzy’s comments? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!


Rebecca Carter
Associate Editor (News)

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