Former TOWIE star Pascal Craymer has revealed that her stint on reality TV left her battling depression and alcohol problems.
The 32 year old has opened up on how she attempted to take her own life five times in the past 12 months.
Pascal was hospitalised with depression, anorexia and an alcohol problem after drinking four bottles of wine and half a litre of vodka every day.
Pascal – who last appeared on TOWIE in 2013 – is now recovering but is calling for stricter regulations around reality TV.
She told The Sun: ”These shows chew you up and spit you out. They take vulnerable people and turn them into celebrities overnight without any concern what happens once the fame fades.
"I was only on TOWIE for a short stint but it has tarnished me forever.
"I could not get any more modelling work after I left and was dragged into a dark and lonely world that almost cost me my life.
“I am lucky I was saved. Now I want to do everything I can to help other people and warn them of the dangers. More needs to be done to control these shows. Life is too precious to throw it all away.”
Pascal was close friends with Love Island 2016 star Sophie Gradon, who died in June 2017 aged 32.
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She said: "Sophie's death was such a shock as I don't think anyone saw it coming, certainly not me.
"She had posted a beautiful picture on social media the day before she died, which is a reminder that looks can be deceiving."
Pascal said she then began to spiral into a “dark place”, saying: ”I was getting trolled all the time and being told I was fat and ugly. I could not make a relationship work and I was drinking three or four bottles of wine over lunch then switching to vodka at night.
"I stopped eating because my diet was the only thing I could control.” Pascal said she also began to self harm.
She said: "I took an overdose of pills in December and when that did not work I tried again with more pills. Both times I was found by my younger sister Kendal and taken to hospital."
At the hospital doctors told Pascal that she was incredibly malnourished and would have been dead in two weeks if she hadn’t got treatment.
She checked into the Priory rehab centre after being released from hospital, when she cancelled all of her social media accounts. However, she relapsed and made two more attempts on her life.
Pascal is now recovering with the support of a new boyfriend and a counsellor.
She is calling for reality shows to follow stricter rules, including a minimum age limit of 25.
She said: "More needs to be done to regulate these shows and make sure the contestants are given counselling and guidance. Reality television makes the TV companies big money but there is no longevity for the stars."
A spokeswoman for TOWIE told The Mirror: "Pascal appeared in three episodes in 2013.
"We take our responsibility to the welfare of all contributors very seriously. Even those participating in cameo appearances are given a full briefing from senior producers which includes advice and support on the impact of appearing in the programme. Independent professional psychiatric support is also available."
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