Yahoo News Nadia Essex breaks silence on leaving Celebs Go Dating
Former Celebs Go Dating star Lady Nadia Essex is speaking for the first time about her controversial departure from the show and infamous feud with one-time co-star Eden Blackman.
The dating expert resigned from the E4 reality show last week, after first being suspended over "improper use of social media". One week on, she is acknowledging creating fake Twitter accounts to tweet about cheating allegations levelled against Blackman.
In an interview with The Sun, Nadia acknowledged being in a bad headspace when she created the fake accounts and says the backlash has made her feel "suicidal" at times.
"I wasn't allowed to speak out [about Blackman] as myself because I was warned to keep quiet," she claimed. "I felt like I wasn't allowed my freedom of speech and was told not to put out a public statement. I was in completely the wrong headspace. I was a mess. I couldn't leave the house because I was terrified people would hurl abuse at me in the street.
"People were so angry I wasn't condemning Eden's cheating that I was getting abused online constantly. I felt like I couldn't speak up. It was humiliating. I was devastated and petrified and I didn't know what to do. I was depressed and I felt desperate. I am at rock bottom."
She admitted: "Looking back on it now, I didn't deal with it in the right way, I know that. I've been called a fat ugly bitch on a daily basis. I've been told to kill myself. I've been told I am the most hated woman in Britain."
Nadia also acknowledges having tension with Blackman before his own departure from Celebs Go Dating. Blackman was recently replaced on the show by award-winning matchmaker Paul Carrick Brunson.
"I feel like he hated me and he made sure I knew that," she said. "He made passive aggressive digs... I felt like I couldn't tell anyone. I didn't want to be seen as the diva on set who was causing trouble and hard to work with.
"It was so bad I wanted to quit before series two but I stayed. I refused to let this man ruin my chance at my dream job."
Digital Spy has reached out to representatives for Blackman and Channel 4 for comment on Essex's claims.
Last week, a representative for Celebs Go Dating confirmed to us that there are "no current plans to replace Nadia" on the upcoming fifth series.
We would encourage anyone who identifies with the topics raised in this article to reach out. Organisations who can offer support include Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org), and Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255 or visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
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