Britain’s Got Talent star Lifford Shillingford opens up on how he tried to take his life after battling depression
BRITAIN’S Got Talent singer Lifford Shillingford opened up about how he tried to take his own life after battling depression.
He was put straight through to the show’s semi-finals last night after becoming Alesha Dixon's Golden Buzzer Act.
Lifford who sang Sam Cooke’s A Change Is Going To Come, had previously spoken about how he struggled with mental health issues.
Back in 2000, he had featured on Artful Dodger’s hit Please Don’t Turn Me On but later had to temporarily quit the music industry.
The singer wrote in a 2013 blog: “I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety more than ten years ago after finally reaching out for help.
“I realised I couldn’t get through this alone and that, maybe, after years of fighting this illness, attempts to take my own life and self-medicating, I didn’t have the strength to do it any more.
“I spent countless days crying wishing for someone to save me.”
And, in a separate interview a few months later, Lifford – who previously knew Alesha during her Mis-teeq days – added: “I’ve been suffering from depression since I was a child.
“It’s something I’ve finally learned to deal with over the past few years.
“Depression has taken me to some dark places, questioning my self-worth and existence, but it has also helped to make me stronger.”
Last night he told us: “Thankfully, I’m now out of that period.
“I hope my story can inspire anyone who has experienced depression and anxiety to show you can get through it.”
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans on (free) 116123 or 020 7734 2800.
Booty call for Cheryl
Cheryl has long since earned her style stripes.
The singer made another fashionable appearance at the Cannes Film Festival, pairing thigh-high PVC boots with a slashed skirt and top combo.
She was there working for L’Oreal and left her 14-month-old son Bear, whose dad is former One Direction star Liam Payne, at home.
Behind the scenes, she posted snaps from various photoshoots for the make-up brand.
It beats watching Peppa Pig all day on loop.
Lucky parents
DENISE Welch and her ex-husband Tim Healy certainly have talented offspring.
Eldest son Matt is the frontman of The 1975 – and now younger son Louis is starring in new movie Sometimes Always Never.
Denise told us: “We told him it was about time to get a job, meaning in a chip shop, and he only went and got a film with Bill Nighy!
We’re very proud of him.”
Mel B's mini-me
MEL B brought her daughter Phoenix to Friday’s British LGBT Awards.
The Spice Girl co-hosted the London bash with Blue's Duncan James.
A source said: “Phoenix is keen to be a celeb in her own right and has signed Katie Price's former manager to represent her.”
Talk about when 2 Become 1.
Roman is still humble
ROMAN Kemp has had a steady rise to fame since taking over Capital London’s radio breakfast show – but he doesn’t believe he is a bona fide celebrity yet.
The presenter, whose parents are Spandau Ballet's Martin Kemp and singer Shirlei Holliman, told us: “My job is to be the window to the public and the celebrity. I’m just a mouthpiece to show that world.
“My photo collection on Instagram is just with people far more talented than myself and it helps with interview situations because you lose your nerves.”
Roman, who is Virgin TV’s Red Carpet host at the Virgin TV British Academy Television Awards tonight, added: “I’ve been lucky that the want or need to be recognised doesn’t exist for me because I have seen it from every angle with my family.”
Deny your status all you like – we bet you’ll still be asked for a selfie or two on the red carpet this evening.
Bradley pals Liv-id
FOOTBALLER Bradley Dack has been given a red card by his teammates after he ditched a trip to Las Vegas with them.
While the midfielder’s official reason for skipping the trip with Blackburn Rovers was because he was feeling ill, the rest of the team are rather suspicious.
They believe his Love Island girlfriend Olivia Attwood might be behind his non-appearance.
A source said: “Blackburn bosses paid for the whole trip for 15 members of the squad as a ‘well done’ for all their hard work in earning the club’s promotion to the Championship last month.
“Bradley actually organised it all but then didn’t turn up to the airport on Thursday.
“He wasn’t picking up his phone to any of his teammates and, instead, they saw him appearing on Olivia’s social media.
“The posts say that he’s ill but they have been gossiping about whether she put a stop to him going and aren’t impressed about it.”
Sounds as if he might be love sick.
Cara's latest message?
IS Cara Delevingne trying to send her own message to ex “wifey” Rita Ora?
Cara weds herself in a video for Vogue called A Bride Less Ordinary.
During the clip she declares: “True love is found within yourself.
“In the words of RuPaul, ‘If you ain’t gonna love yourself, how the hell you gonna love someone else?’”
It sounds as if the model has found the perfect match.
- See the full Cara feature and shoot in the June issue of Vogue, out now. Watch the video at
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Kates mates bid to raise ruffly £32K
KIND-HEARTED celebrities have donated designer accessories to help raise money for stray dogs.
Kate Moss, Millie Bobby Brown, Sienna Miller and David Gandy have all gifted a bag or a pair of shoes for the online charity auction on luxury pre-owned website xupes.com.
All profits from the sale, which is live now, will go towards the Wild at Heart Foundation, which works to reduce the world’s 600-million stray dog population.
Fashionista Kate donated a pair of Stuart Weitzman heels which are on sale for £849, while Stranger Things actress Millie parted with a floral Coach bag worth £650.
Renowned florist Nikki Tibbles, founder of the charity, said: “With the help from celeb connections we hope to raise £32,000.” You’d be barking mad not to want to help out.
Sam's a step above the rest
HERE’S Sam Smith proving he’s a step above the rest by donning a fabulous pair of red glitter platform heels.
The rest of his ensemble would even give notorious flesh flasher Kim Kardashian a run for her money, as it consisted of a pair of white socks and a red suit jacket – and very little else.
The Stay With Me singer, who is in the middle of the European leg of his world tour, took to Instagram on Friday night to thank fans in Milan who filled his venue with rainbow flags.
Yesterday he posted this photo, right, which he captioned with the opening line of All That Jazz, the track from the hit musical Chicago: “Come on babe, we’re gonna paint the town.”
How odd. With his red heels and rainbow fan, we could have sworn he’d just watched The Wizard Of Oz.