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Frankie Bridge says depression brought her closer to husband Wayne

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Wayne Bridge and Frankie Bridge attend the 2019 'TRIC Awards' held at The Grosvenor House Hotel on March 12, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Wayne and Frankie Bridge (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

Frankie Bridge has told how her husband Wayne’s reaction to her mental health struggles was the making of their relationship.

The former Saturdays singer has been open about her problems with depression and anxiety, and has now explained how a breakdown early in her relationship with Wayne Bridge set the tone for their marriage.

In an interview with the Made by Mammas podcast, Frankie spoke about being admitted to a psychiatric hospital in 2011, not long after meeting footballer Wayne.

Frankie Bridge and Wayne Bridge during the National Television Awards at London's O2 Arena. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images)
Frankie Bridge and Wayne Bridge during the National Television Awards at London's O2 Arena. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images)

She said: “I had my breakdown right early on, it was in our first year of our relationship together and he was amazing.

“He could’ve run for the hills, but he didn’t. He stuck around and he tried to learn as much as he could through my therapists and doctors at the time. It was a real stress for him.”

The couple went on to marry in 2014 and now have two young sons together, Parker and Carter, but Frankie admitted that they “never really discussed” her breakdown and that “life just moved on”.

Frankie Bridge arriving at the Virgin Money Giving Mind Media Awards, Odeon Leicester Square, London. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment
Frankie Bridge arriving at the Virgin Money Giving Mind Media Awards, Odeon Leicester Square, London (Photo credit: Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment)

However, Frankie, 31, said that Wayne’s early support of her mental health continued into their marriage, and that she felt secure being able to rely on her 40-year-old husband.

Talking about how he helped her in moments when she was struggling, she said: “I’m not looking for answers from him. I want him to either listen or give me a hug, or to go and take the kids and sort them out so that I don’t have to.”

Last year, Frankie released her own self-help book, Open: Why Asking For Help Can Save Your Life, based on her experiences and is due to publish her second book, Grow, later this year.

She has been an ambassador for mental health charity Mind since 2015.

Watch: Frankie Bridge opens up on her mental health struggles