Fearne Cotton left Radio 1 role as it was 'ruining my mind'

Fearne Cotton has revealed that she left Radio 1 six years ago for the sake of her mental health.

The star, 39, had been a presenter on the station since 2005 but stepped down in 2015.

She has now opened up about her decision, telling Red magazine: “I had to walk away because it was literally ruining my mind.

Read more: Fearne Cotton 'doesn't care' what people say about her after 'going to hell and back'

“A lot of people still believe in this myth that people on TV or social media are these perfect people with perfect lives, and, of course, it’s all a load of b*******.”

The mum-of-two has previously talked openly about mental health issues, and last year told how facing a lot of media scrutiny early in her career had a big impact on her.

She told the Big Issue: "It was really intense in my 20s. I had a very unhealthy relationship with the press.

"You feel misrepresented and misunderstood, which is a really horrible feeling. And you lose your sense of who you are. You’re so busy trying to be what everybody else wants you to be, and to avoid being attacked.”

Cotton now runs a podcast called Happy Place and has said it has given her more confidence in herself.

“All I want to do is help create something that breeds connection and offers people solace if they’re feeling alone,” she told Red.

Read more: Fearne Cotton has not driven on a motorway for two years

The presenter wed husband Jesse Wood in 2014 and the pair are parents to two children, son Rex, eight, and daughter Honey, five.

Watch: Fearne Cotton: Depression made me feel ashamed