CHANELLE Hayes broke down in tears yesterday as she opened up about how she has been struggling recently.
The 35-year-old gave fans an honest update about her mental health – admitting she was feeling ‘lost and challenged’.
Determined to show off the reality of her life, rather than a shiny Instagram version, Chanelle shared a picture of herself crying alongside a series of heavily filtered ones.
The mum-of-two told her followers: “Happy new year guys… or is it? I’ve not really posted much over Christmas and New Year as I’ve had so much work to do both for my degree, actual work work and then obviously trying to squeeze all this around spending quality time with family. It’s been a lot.
“I feel challenged. I feel a little lost and overwhelmed at how fast the years are going and that maybe I’m not moving anywhere with them.
Chanelle Hayes shows off incredible 9 stone weight loss in yellow bikini
“Like I’m stuck. I saw so many fabulous, happy, celebratory posts over the last few weeks and rightly so.”
The former Big Brother star continued: “But I didn’t really see anybody acknowledging that sooooo many people are sad at this time of the year.
“I bet so many of us are, but behind our screens and through our feeds we paint a different picture.”
Offering support to others in the same situation, she said: “I just wanted to post to say it’s ok to feel overwhelmed, there’s no need to hide it, and so I’m not.
“This week has been rubbish and I’ve got so much to do this year I’m just dreading it I have knots in my stomach. If you’re feeling like this too, you’re not on your own ???????? #mentalhealthawareness #depressionawareness #anxietyawareness #parenting #adulting #overwhelmed #lifeisbeautiful #wecandohardthings #love.”
Chanelle rose to fame on Big Brother in 2007 and has remained in the limelight ever since.
In recent years she has started training as a nurse – and has shed nine stone after undergoing weight loss surgery.
She is now engaged to Dan Bingham and is mum to Blakely, 11, who is the son of former footballer Matthew Bates, and Frankie, three, from her relationship with PE teacher Ryan Oates.
