What Not To Wear star Susannah Constantine has revealed she is a recovering alcoholic in a candid new interview.
The TV personality – best known as one half of the presenting duo Trinny and Susannah – spoke of her past struggles with alcohol abuse in an interview on the podcast My Mate Bought A Toaster.
“It’s not something I’ve spoken about before really, but it’s important,” she explained.
“I’m in recovery, so I’m an alcoholic and I’ve been in recovery for nearly seven years now.”
Although she said her addiction did not affect her work, Susannah did reveal it had a negative impact on her relationships, continuing: “As an addict, often what you would do, and certainly what I did, I would put all my own defects – I would find someone else to attach them to.
“And so I thought my husband was passive aggressive, but actually I was the one who was passive aggressive. And I’ve realised [that] over time and being in recovery.
“I was the awful, angry passive-aggressive and my poor husband was the one who had to live with it.”
Susannah also recalled the moment she first acknowledged her drinking had become a problem, describing it as a “liberating” experience.
“I felt a lot of shame most of the time… the relief was so immense because I could change it,” she said. “I wasn’t having to try and change someone else. It was down to me.
“I was responsible and accountable for becoming a better person and getting sober and well. And so it was the most extraordinary relief to have that lightbulb moment.”
In recent years, Susannah has made numerous reality TV appearances, most notably in 2015, when she was the first contestant to be eliminated on I’m A Celebrity.
Three years later, she appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, and was partnered with Anton Du Beke.
Listen to Susanna’s full interview on the podcast My Mate Bought A Toaster.
- If you need help with a drinking problem, call the Alcoholics Anonymous national helpline for free on 0800 9177 650 or email help@aamail.org.
- For advice on how to reduce drinking, visit Drinkaware’s website or Alcohol Change UK.
- Find alcohol addiction services near you using this NHS tool.