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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Entertainment
Marisa Mackle

Jennifer Zamparelli recalls time schoolgirl bullies caused bathroom panic attack

Jennifer Zamparelli has opened up about being a victim of bullying as a schoolgirl.

The popular 2FM radio star revealed how when she was a kid she found herself in "terrifying" scraps at school - which led to panic attacks.

She said: "I’ve been in so many fights in schools. I’ve been in so many scraps."

READ MORE - Jennifer Zamparelli jokes she's 'up for a foursome' as she makes saucy confessions on new podcast

The mum-of-two told Lottie Ryan on their joint podcast, Jen and Lottie do… Parenting: "I remember my first scrap in school was - with a group of bullies who didn’t like my jacket.

"I was wearing a duffle coat and they started on me.

"And they used to wait for me after school every day. There were probably about three or four of them.

"They used to stand at the gate and I could never get home unless I fought them. That was primary school and it was terrifying."

A shocked Lottie asked Jennifer whether her parents had intervened in the bullying.

Jennifer replied: "They did, and they went to the school, but it never really helped. I think I kept it to myself for a very long time.

"But I remember one time I was in the school bathroom and I was having probably a panic attack because I knew what was going to happen. I was going to have to fight.

"Then in secondary school, there were a few fights, like pulling the head off each other.

"And it’s never a nice feeling."

Jennifer went on to explain that the childhood bullying has taught her to stand up for herself in later life, saying "I do feel the only way to deal with a bully is to stand up to a bully. I’ve learned that."

She added: "Because I think it continues."

The star’s young daughter, Florence, does martial arts and Jennifer says she’s "very proud".

She explained: "Karate and Taekwondo are all about respect. It’s great for their confidence."

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