Tanya Bardsley has made a heart-breaking admission, revealing she attempted to take her own life following years of horrific bullying at school.
The Real Housewives of Cheshire star, 41, told how she made three suicide bids after suffering horrific torment at the hands of cruel school bullies.
The reality star told how she threw herself in front of a moving car in her younger years in a candid chat where she unveiled her tortured past.
Speaking to Johnny Seifert on the Secure The Insecure podcast, Tanya said: “I tried to take my own life. I've tried to complete suicide three times in my younger years. Luckily, I failed every time which I'm so glad about.
“But I jumped in front of a car that particular time, and they managed to swerve out the way and thank God because I just dread to think what that poor guy would have gone through if he'd have hit me.
“I think the universe has got bigger plans for you and maybe I had to go through that, too.
“I always think you just have to tell your story if it's bad or good and because it can help someone somewhere. You never know.”
The telly personality also told how she was cripplingly shy when she was young. She explained that the bullying and her dad’s work in the army which saw her change school as the family moved around a lot, made her feel very unsettled.
Tanya, who is married to footballer Phil Bardsley said: “I was really, really shy, wouldn't speak to anyone. And then I was really badly bullied, which I think most kids are at some point in the life, but I was really badly bullied.
“And then my dad was in the army, so we moved schools a lot, which I found that, because I kept having a fresh start each time, I was class clown.”
Her honest remarks come just days after she revealed she’s "considering" whether to return to RHOC after having such a great time filming a spin-off show with her former co-stars.
Tanya quit the programme in 2021 after battling ill health and having a breakdown, but last week it was revealed that Tanya is starring in a special edition of the show, called The Real Housewives of Cheshire: Christmas Cruising.
Due to her fear of boats and water, Tanya joined her pals in Mexico after the cruise, and said the spin-off was a "once in a lifetime opportunity", when speaking to the Mirror at the ITV Palooza.
When asked about her feelings on returning to RHOCH, the mum-of-four said: "I'm still thinking about it, because two of my boys are in football academies and it's a lot and I've got businesses. But I had such a great time, I'm considering, but I don't know."
The Real Housewives of Cheshire: Christmas Cruising, Mondays from 5th December at 9pm on ITVBe and ITVX
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
