DANCING On Ice’s Vanessa Bauer opened up about her 10 year battle with an eating disorder in a moving post on Instagram.
The 24-year-old professional skater bravely revealed that she suffered from eating disorders and mental health issues in an empowering message to her followers.
The stunning celeb shared empowering photos of herself in her underwear as she told her followers that they aren’t “alone”.
Vanessa said: “I used to think I could never model lingerie for personal battles with my body confidence.
“If you’ve followed me for a while you may know about my past battle with an aggressive eating disorder (ED) as I opened up about this a while ago.
“This was meant to be a different kind of post but Today I saw tragic news of a lost battle with an ED. It made me realise once again that there isn’t enough awareness around ED.
“They are not taken seriously enough. And it costs lives… I suffered nearly a decade – it ultimately ended my competitive skating career – and for the last couple of years I’ve been strong enough to openly speak and raise awareness in the hope to help people who are suffering too.
“To show them they are not alone and that the vicious circle can be beaten!!”
Vanessa, who previously won the Dancing On Ice crown with Jake Quickenden, was praised by fans for her candid post.
One said: “You’re beautiful inside and out!Thank you for sharing this story”
Another wrote: “I’ve battled for 8 years with anorexia and you have honestly been such an incredible inspiration since I’ve been watching dancing on ice. Thank you for being so real and honest!”
Vanessa spoke out after Big Brother star Nikki Grahame lost her battle with anorexia in the early hours of last Friday morning.
She was just 38, but had suffered from the disorder since she was seven years old.
The reality TV icon had checked into a private hospital to treat her eating disorder after desperate friends managed to raise more than £65,000 to start paying for life-saving care with a Go Fund Me page.
Stars such as Rylan Clark and Vanessa Feltz supported the fundraiser.
Her passing was announced on the page.
The heartbreaking statement said: “It is with great sadness we have to let you know that our dear friend Nikki passed away in the early hours of Friday 9th April.
“It breaks out hearts to know that someone who is so precious was taken from us at such a young age.
“Nikki not only touched the lives of millions of people, but also her friends and family, who will miss her immensely.”
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
