Vicky Pattison burst into tears as she opened up about her mental health battle ahead of appearing on Strictly Come Dancing.
The former Geordie Shore star, 37, is set to star in this year's BBC dance competition when it airs later this year - but she has shared her concerns about going on.
She is no stranger to reality TV, having previously appeared on ITV's I'm A Celebrity, but Vicky admitted she suffered anxiety from the show.
Speaking on her Get A Grip podcast, the TV personality said she had to seek help from This Morning psychologists Nick and Eva Speakman.
Chatting to her Strictly co-star Angela Scanlon, who competed on the show in 2023, she explained: 'I went back to therapy, but I pretty much cried for three hours straight.
'Therapists are great, like, I've been super honest. I go and see the Speakmans.
'It started off like, why I'm so stressed about Strictly. They always find, like, the easy way in.'
Vicky shared that they did an exercise together, which saw her writing everything down and going through the points one by one.
She concluded: 'And I wrote, like, all the reasons why I was doing Strictly.
'They write them down on a board for me and I sat, it was super illuminating.'
Vicky then got emotional and broke down in tears as she shared her hopes and dreams of a long-lasting career in TV.
She sobbed: 'And I was like, I want to prove to people that I can do it, and that I'm more than just like a reality TV star.
'And I want to be a TV presenter eventually and I think this is a great step.
'I want to make my family proud. They love it. I want to have, you know, a nice home, financial security.'
Vicky added: 'I think this could be a step to that.
'And I want to go on nice holidays. And I spoke about it all and wrote all down, and I was like, I just want to prove I can do it.'
Angela reminded Vicky that she is living in her dreams, saying she was actually describing her current achievements.
Vicky then finished off by saying: 'But it's all about how you see yourself, isn't it.
'Subsequently, the worked all through the list, and [were] like, "Your family are proud, and you've got to have it all".
'What boiled it all down to mate, was just, was like, I am still just trying to f***ing change the opinions of people who will never like me, who are convinced I'm nothing but that girl from Geordie Shore.
'[Who think] I'm never going to be any better, and I'm wasting my life mate. I'm wasting me time trying to pander at these people.'
It comes after Vicky revealed she has been secretly manifesting her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing for years after creating her own vision board.
The star shared: 'I swear by them. I have two in my office, two huge ones, one for my professional life and one for my personal life. I'm not scared to tell you what's on them.
'My professional one is filled with images of me on Strictly Come Dancing and the BBC logo. And it's got a picture of Stacey Dooley, because I want to film hard-hitting documentaries and talk about issues that I'm passionate about, like women's reproductive health, women's safety, and so many other issues that affect us,' she told The Mirror.
While the star rose to fame for her partying antics and drunken behaviour during her reality TV days she is determined to put that behind her.
She explained she is tried of being known as 'Vicky from reality TV' and wants to be known as a TV presenter, author and broadcaster.
The star added: ' Eventually, I want people to be more interested in the quality of my work than the details of my life. It’s a difficult jump to make because there is a huge stigma around people who come from reality television, basically that we’re talentless and have nothing to offer.'
Vicky insisted she doesn't agree with these statements and will be hoping to find a new audience during her time on Strictly.
Last week Vicky shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse of her swollen cut-up feet on Instagram after her first week of gruelling Strictly rehearsals.
Sharing a photo of her red swollen feet after rehearsing, she wrote: 'And so it begins', (crying and laughing emoji).
In a second post, Vicky admitted she feels like she has been 'hit by a car' as she has found 'dancing so hard' after starting rehearsals.
She said: 'Our first @bbcstrictly rehearsal... The start of the day versus... the end.
'It certainly was a baptism of fire lads... that's for sure! If I was doubting my ability before.. then I REALLY am now!!! Dancing is SO HARD!
'No wonder those pros are all drop dead gorgeous. I feel like I've been hit by a car and I've already got blisters.. WTF???
'A serious new found appreciation for everyone who's ever taken part!
'BUT... what an amazing day, the team are incredible, the celebs are so wonderful and the pros are an absolute joy.
'If I hang around long enough... I think I'll really love my new family. I'm off to think about my life choices and apologise to all the fellas I stepped all over today!'
Vicky will join the likes of Gladiator Harry Aikines-Aryeetey; Love Island's Dani Dyer; actress Alex Kingston; footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink; soap star Balvinder Sopal and TikTok star George Clarke on the dancefloor.
STRICTLY LINEUP 2025
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Age: 36
Profession: Olympic Sprinter and Gladiator
Harry says: 'I'll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let's hope I'm as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.'
Alex Kingston
Age: 62
Profession: Doctor Who actress
The actress teases: 'My hips don't lie.'
Balvinder Sopal
Age: 46
Profession: EastEnders actress
Balvinder says: 'I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.'
La Voix
Age: 45
Profession: Drag performer
She says: 'Strictly is a national institution and I can't wait to get started. All that's left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here's hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.'
Thomas Skinner
Age: 34
Profession: Reality star and entrepreneur
He says: 'Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!'
Vicky Pattison
Age: 37
Profession: Reality TV star
She says: 'I'm absolutely buzzing to be part of this year's Strictly Come Dancing line-up... but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't terrified.'
Karen Carney
Age: 38
Profession: Football pundit
She says: 'I’m such a huge fan of the show and I can’t believe I’m finally getting the chance to take part.'
Dani Dyer
Age: 29
Profession: Reality star, 2018 Love Island winner
Dani says: 'Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I’ve done this year! feel very very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on.'
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Age: 53
Profession: Former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex-England coach.
He says: 'Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.'
Ellie Goldstein
Age: 23
Profession: Model, influencer and disability ambassador
She says: 'It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream'.
Chris Robshaw
Age: 39
Profession: Rugby player
He says: 'This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad-dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class'.
Stefan Dennis
Age: 66
Profession: Actor
He says: 'Looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky.'
Ross King
Age: 63
Profession: Showbiz correspondent
He says: 'I can’t wait to learn from the best, meet my fellow contestants, and, most importantly… try not to step on too many toes!'
Lewis Cope
Age: 30
Profession: Actor
He says: 'I'm so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance floor and joining this year's Strictly Come Dancing.'
