Lisa Appleton reveals she wanted to kill herself when her fame dream soured and she was forced to sign on for £30-a-week benefits… and deal with a terrifying stalker
Reality star considered suicide after hitting rock bottom
LISA Appleton has revealed she considered suicide after she went broke and was exposed to the dark side of fame.
The former Big Brother star admits she hit rock bottom when she was forced to sign on and she also had to deal with a terrifying stalker.
Lisa, 48, plunged into a deep depression after shooting to fame as work dried up and her money ran out.
She had to rely on £30 a week in benefits, and the stress of her situation led to her suffering a breakdown.
She explained she thought about killing herself as she was no longer "enjoying life".
When asked whether she had suicidal thoughts, she said: "Yes absolutely.
"Signing on... I was on benefits on about £30 a week. I was breaking down.
"I couldn't get any work... It was that thing that everyone knew [me]...
"You're on the Internet... everyone knows who you are... It was very overwhelming..."
She also had to deal with a terrifying stalker and Lisa admits she felt "so alone".
She said: "I had stalkers. I had people following me around. I was having some really difficult times."
Lisa insists she did not just suffer depression, but experienced a complete breakdown as her world fell apart.
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She added: "Dealing with the fame side, being on benefits. I lost everything.
"Not just one thing, everything. I felt so alone... [I hit] rock bottom...
"I just wasn't enjoying life anymore. I... had a complete breakdown.
"You can have a bit of depression and get out of it, but this was a complete breakdown...
"I was at that low place and I was giving up and I had just had enough.
"I had those dark thoughts of not living. My family were there and my beautiful daughter but nothing mattered at the time...
"It was like falling into a well and you can't get out of it."
But Lisa insists she has since bounced back and is finally enjoying life again.
She has vowed not to listen to her critics and just have a good time.
She said: "I'm loving it [life], I'm having fun and letting my hair down and feeling confident again and I'm enjoying it..
"I'm just getting through a very difficult time. I'm like stuff you lot.
"All that matters is that I'm alive and kicking and having a good time."