Latest news with #LibertyX
Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Michelle Heaton says Katie Price played a role in her alcohol abuse recovery
Michelle Heaton appeared on Good Morning Britain to talk about the journey that led her to now being four years sober, and thanked Katie Price for encouraging her to try rehab Michelle Heaton has credited best pal Katie Price with helping her turn her life around, revealing it was the former glamour model's own battle with addiction that gave her the hope she desperately needed to get sober. During an appearance on Good Morning Britain, the Liberty X singer opened up about the dark depths of her alcohol addiction and how, four years on, she's finally thriving after hitting rock bottom. Speaking to hosts Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley, Michelle, 44, shared how isolated she became during the worst period of her drinking. "Listen, my family, my friends, just didn't want to talk to me anymore," she confessed. But there was one person who didn't give up on her. Michelle shared: "There was just one particular day I remember. I was with Katie and she was great at the time. She had just had a bit of a stint in rehab herself. I recognised that maybe if she could do it, maybe I could. "It took that recognition with somebody who had actually been in the system for me to realise that maybe I could do it too, because I honestly thought there was no hope." The singer, who found fame in the early 2000s with hits like Just a Little, revealed how her drinking crept up on her over the years. She added: "The thing about alcohol: it's cunning and it's baffling and I didn't see the crossover. It wasn't something that just happened overnight, all of a sudden I was drinking that copious amounts of alcohol. "It was something that was gradual. Alcohol was always my friend. It was there to give me confidence. I drank before I did a gig. It was all part of my career in Liberty X. But it wasn't something I was dependent on, until I was." Michelle has had a remarkable road to recovery. In 2020, doctors warned her she was close to death as her liver was failing after years of excessive drinking. Now she is four years sober, and has completely transformed her life. The mother-of-two is embracing a healthy lifestyle, working out regularly, and being mindful of what she eats. She previously told OK! Magazine: "My poor body has been through a lot. I have a new-found respect for it. I get my sleep and Hugh and I own a gym and work out together quite a bit." She is also keen to show others that recovery is possible. "I'm living proof you can do it — even from rock bottom," Michelle said proudly. Despite being four years sober, Michelle knows she can't take anything for granted. When she was asked if she's ever tempted to have a drink in December 2024, she insisted she's "over that" but remains vigilant. She added: "I'm under no illusion that the old demons could creep back in. That's waiting for me just around the corner if I don't stay on top of my recovery — for me, [that's following] the Twelve Step Fellowship. I say I'm 'in recovery', not 'recovered' for that very reason."
Perth Now
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Michelle Heaton: I never thought I'd be able to perform without alcohol
Michelle Heaton "never thought" she would be able to perform without alcohol. The Liberty X singer, 45, spent years battling a drinking problem before checking into rehab in 2021 to receive help, and she is now able to "sing and dance better" since quitting booze. Speaking on Good Morning Britain, she said: "I'm able to perform without alcohol, and that was something that I never thought I was able to do. "I didn't know how to perform without alcohol and it's a whole different ball game now - I can actually sing and dance better." At the height of her alcohol problem, Michelle used to disguise bottles of vodka as sparkling water. The star also used to promise herself she wouldn't drink heavily the following day, but often by 3pm she was consuming alcohol again. She said: "I was hiding my alcohol from my husband ... I would be openly drinking in front of him, maybe a bottle of wine a night, and that's what he thought was my normal. I suppose at the time, everyone was drinking a lot more, but it was more… I would have a bottle of vodka [in addition] usually, and the thing is, I would always swear that I wouldn't do it again tomorrow, and I would promise myself that I wouldn't drink like that tomorrow and then by 3 o'clock in the afternoon, it was all out the window. I could not stop. I was dependent on alcohol." Michelle admits the last couple of years of her alcohol dependency were her "really, really bad", because she lost friends and family members who "didn't want to talk" to her. She said: "I think for me, the last couple of years of my drinking was really, really bad. "I was in and out of hospital, but I really thought I had control of my drinking. At some points I really enjoyed my drinking, it was very social, it was lockdown and we had those garden parties outside, and I had problems beforehand but it definitely escalated things. "There were lots of ups and downs, there were lots of periods where I was in hospital and I lost jobs, and members of my family and my friends just didn't want to talk to me anymore." Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1, ITVX, STV STV Player.
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Michelle Heaton reveals stern advice she received from Katie Price after resorting to 'deceitful' tricks to hide 'out of control' alcoholism battle
Michelle Heaton has revealed the stern advice Katie Price gave her after her alcoholism battle saw her resorting to 'deceitful' tricks to hide her problems. The Liberty X star, 45, is now four years sober after she nearly died and was hospitalised in 2021 during her battle with drink and drugs. At the height of her battle, the singer drank two bottles of wine and a bottle of vodka 'virtually every day since 2018', when an intervention led by Katie Price resulted in her checking herself into rehab. Visibly glowing, Michelle appeared on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday alongside hosts Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley to discuss her battle. She told how the last number of years saw her drinking escalate, which resulted in her losing jobs and family members cutting her out. Michelle explained: 'I was in and out of hospital, but I really thought I had control of my drinking. At some points I really enjoyed my drinking, it was very social, it was lockdown and we had those garden parties outside, and I had problems beforehand but it definitely escalated things. 'There were lots of ups and downs, there were lots of periods where I was in hospital and I lost jobs, and members of my family and my friends just didn't want to talk to me anymore.' At the height of her battle, Michelle was hiding bottles of alcohol from her husband and even placing it inside a sparkling water bottle. She said: 'I was hiding my alcohol from my husband… I would be openly drinking in front of him, maybe a bottle of wine a night, and that's what he thought was my normal. 'I suppose at the time, everyone was drinking a lot more, but it was more… I would have a bottle of vodka [in addition] usually, and the thing is, I would always swear that I wouldn't do it again tomorrow, and I would promise myself that I wouldn't drink like that tomorrow and then by 3 o'clock in the afternoon, it was all out the window. 'I could not stop. I was dependent on alcohol.' It was ex-glamour model Katie Price, 47, who has had her own battles with addiction, that spurred Michelle on it get help. The singer recalled: 'There was just one particular day I remember, I was with Katie [Price] and she was great at the time. 'She had just had a stint of rehab herself, and I recognised that maybe if she could do it, maybe I could. 'And it took that recognition with somebody who had actually beaten the system, for me to realise that maybe I could do it too.' Michelle was praised by fans last year as she shared a throwback picture to the height of her addiction on social media. The snap showed the singer's face extremely bloated, demonstrating the grips of her dependency as she marked World Mental Health Day. Michelle has been married to Irish businessman Hugh Hanley since 2010 and the pair share two children, daughter Faith and son AJ. WHAT IS ALCOHOLISM? Alcoholism is the most severe form of alcohol abuse and involves the inability to manage drinking habits. It is organized into three categories: mild, moderate and severe. Each category has various symptoms and can cause harmful side effects. If left untreated, any type of alcohol abuse can spiral out of control. Individuals struggling with alcoholism often feel as though they cannot function normally without alcohol. This can lead to a wide range of issues and impact professional goals, personal matters, relationships and overall health. Sometimes the warning signs of alcohol abuse are very noticeable. Other times, they can take longer to surface. When alcohol addiction is discovered in its early stages, the chance for a successful recovery increases significantly. Common signs of alcoholism include: Being unable to control alcohol consumption Craving alcohol when you're not drinking Putting alcohol above personal responsibilities Feeling the need to keep drinking more Spending a substantial amount of money on alcohol Behaving differently after drinking Short-term effects of alcohol abuse can be just as dangerous as long-term effects. For instance, drinking can impact your reaction time, causing you to have slow reflexes and coordination. That's why drinking and driving is extremely dangerous. Getting behind the wheel of a car can alter your perception of speed and distance, putting yourself and others at risk. Several short-term effects of alcohol abuse may produce: Slow reaction time Poor reflexes Reduce brain activity Lowered inhibitions Blurry vision Difficulty breathing Restlessness Additionally, consuming too much alcohol can affect your long-term health. Some side effects may lay dormant for years before they surface. Because of this, professional medical care is required for proper diagnosis and treatment. Long-term health conditions caused by alcohol: Brain defects Liver disease Diabetes complications Heart problems Increased risk of cancer Vision damage Bone loss Treatment for Alcoholism There are different forms of treatment available based on frequency and severity of alcohol abuse. Recovering from alcohol addiction is a process that continues long after rehab. It takes commitment to practice and apply the techniques you learn in rehab, counseling, support groups and other types of therapy. Although every individual will have their own recovery plan that's tailored to their specific needs, treatment generally follows a structure. Alcohol treatment is broken into three sections, consisting of: Detoxification The first stage in alcohol addiction recovery is detoxification. This phase should be completed with the help of medical professionals due to the potential for serious, uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Many times, individuals are given a medication to help alleviate the painful side effects of a withdrawal. Rehabilitation There are two types of rehabilitation that help treat alcoholism: inpatient rehab and outpatient rehab. Inpatient rehabs are intensive treatment programs that require you to check into a facility for a certain period of time, usually 30, 60 or 90 days. Outpatient rehab allows individuals to participate in a recovery program while continuing with their daily life. Talk with your doctor about treatment options to determine which form of recovery will best fit your needs. Maintenance The recovery process doesn't end with the completion of rehab. Long-term sobriety requires ongoing therapy and may entail support groups, counseling and other recovery resources. These will make sure you maintain sobriety and continue on a happy, healthy path for months and years to come.
Edinburgh Live
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Fans divided after Edinburgh Castle gig as Marti Pellow takes to stage
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Fans are split after watching Marti Pellow take to the stage at Edinburgh Castle, with some advising it's 'time to call it a day'. The former Wet Wet Wet singer was in the city on Friday, July 5. He performed hits such as Wishing I Was Lucky, Somewhere Somehow and Hold Back The River. While some who were in attendance praised him for 'still having it', others claimed the show was a 'bit sad to watch'. Marti, 60, celebrated two decades of sobriety this year and is enjoying a 'packed' schedule. Clips of the gig have been posted online since Friday night, with fans divided. One user commented: "I wish I'd never gone." Another added: "He sounds amazing but who dressed him? It's a hard no." Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox A third posted: "He was great back in the day, it's over now." Another commented: "That suit should of stayed in the '80s, stop singing over the age limit." However, some who were at the castle had a great time - and thought Marti was on top form. One said: "I was there! He was amazing." Another added: "What a great night. Even the weather was perfect." A third posted: "Was an absolutely fantastic show." A fourth said: "This man doesn't get the credit for the voice he has, he has an amazing voice." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. After Marti quit drugs and alcohol, Wet Wet Wet reformed in 2004, however it wasn't quite the same. On reflection, Marti said: "There's uncharted ground at the beginning, a sense of wonder. I think we were always looking for that, but it never came back." In 2017, the star announced that it was finally time to call it a day for good, and he was leaving once again to focus on his solo work. He was replaced by Liberty X singer Kevin Simm. "I have had a great time and loved my career with Wet Wet Wet and to me they will always be the best band in the world. When I started in Wet Wet Wet I gave it 100 per cent of my heart and soul and that's what it demands and that is also what the fans demand - and if I can't do that because my focus is elsewhere, then this is not fair on the fans or the rest of the guys in the band."
BBC News
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'Lifeline' Lincoln Pride to go ahead after appeal for help
A "lifeline" pride event will go ahead this year but will look "a little different", organisers have Pride, which was headlined by Liberty X and attracted more than 8,500 people last year, had been at risk of cancellation due to financial issues. It will be staged at Orchard Street Car Park on 16 August, but will no longer include a said they had been working hard behind the scenes to put on the event as their "commitment to celebrating", with new features including a dance terrace. In April, event director Arran Hart said the committee had scaled back its costs from £85,000 to £50,000 in a bid to save turned to the community for support because "many of our usual sponsors are unfortunately unable to help due to budget constraints".Organisers are staging a Lincoln Pride Gala Fundraiser on 27 July at The Drill, Free School Lane. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
