Laura Adlington has revealed the struggles she faced as she was told she must lose weight if she wanted to have a baby.
The Great British Bake Off star, 32, might be well known for her bubbly on-screen persona, but away from the cameras she was facing heartache in her bid to become a mum.
She had been trying to conceive for three years before doctors told her IVF might be her only chance of getting pregnant. At that time, they also told her she must lose 14 stone in order to qualify.
It left the GBBO 2020 finalist heartbroken and she admits she struggled to cope as she watched friends around her welcome their own brood. She also revealed how her feelings made her seek help from suicide prevention company, Samaritans.
Speaking to The Sun, Laura candidly said: "My husband Matt and I were really struggling with infertility. It got to the point when all our friends and family were starting to have babies and that was very upsetting.
"I was really happy for them, but it was just a reminder of what I couldn’t have. Unless you’ve gone through infertility and that heartache of really wanting it and it not happening . . . it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through."
She admitted she didn't know what the point was if she couldn't become a mum and, while she never thought she wanted to take her own life, she did question if she wanted to be here still.
It's then that calls to Samaritans helped her get through the dark moments - sometimes just to have a cry down the phone so that she didn't become tearful in front of those closest to her.
Laura, who also credits her appearance on Bake Off with helping her through the low points, revealed she severely struggled to lose the amount of weight asked of her and even considered bariatric surgery to help. However, she ruled out this method, saying it "wasn't for me".
"It was difficult — people say we obviously didn’t want it enough because I would have lost the weight to have the IVF," she continued, before adding she wonders if her decision will play on her mind as she gets older.
Thankfully, Laura admits she now feels at "peace" with her body despite sometimes being the target of online trolls.
She said how it's important to "embrace ourselves" as life is "really precious".
*If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch
