Vicky Pattison has been hailed as an "inspiration" after taking on an important new role that will help raise awareness and "break down stigma" on an issue close to her heart.
Vicky is now the patron for the National Association for Children of Alcoholics (Nacoa), a charity which provides information and support for those who are affected by their parent's drinking. The role will see the former Geordie Shore star speak in Parliament on the subject - a daunting prospect which Vicky said had left her "shaking already".
Appearing on ITV's Good Morning Britain, Vicky admitted to hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls: "I'm a bag of nerves, to be totally honest. I didn’t think when I started Geordie Shore all them years ago that this is exactly where it would take us."
Vicky, 35, recently fronted the personal Channel 4 documentary Alcohol, Dad And Me, in which she confronted her own relationship with booze as she opened up about her experience of growing up with dad John, who himself has spent many years battling alcoholism. Speaking on GMB, Vicky said: "First of all, it’s dead important to mention that my dad is a really lovely man, who just happened to be ill, and our relationship is great.
"It’s lovely to have been able to do this with him, and my dad is in a good place currently. And I think what everyone has to understand about alcoholism is the recovery isn’t linear.
"There are good days and bad days." Vicky explained. "Regardless of how much of a hold you think you have on the situation, ultimately it has a hold on you."
As Vicky jokingly asked Ed Balls whether he had any "tips" for speaking in Parliament, the former Labour MP praised Vicky for taking on her new patron role. "It's really important when people like you speak out," he told the Newcastle-born star.
"It gives so much hope, support and inspiration to so many of our viewers - so many people across the country - who are struggling with these things, and worrying that they're doing it on their own." Asked what she planned to bring up to the Government, Vicky said that she hopes to increase the support for people affected by alcoholism through her new role.
"Children of alcoholics are more likely to be victims of abuse or neglect, they’re more likely to consider suicide, more likely to have eating disorders, more likely to get in trouble with the police. The list is endless," she explained. "And despite this, and despite the fact that the number of calls to the Nacoa helpline has increased, Government still cut the funding in 2021."
She insisted: "We need money. We need education. People need to understand this, and that’s what I’m going to say in Government."
Taking to Instagram after her GMB appearance, Vicky said that she was "incredibly honoured" to be working with Nacoa, and fans flocked to praise the star for her new role. "You were amazing this morning. Well done for helping such an important cause," one person said.
Another fan wrote: "I watched your interview this morning… you are such an inspiration! So refreshing to see someone we can identify with talking about something so, so important… wishing you all of the luck in Parliament!"
"You were amazing this morning. I work with so many families and children affected by this issue it's so complex," someone else commented. "It's brilliant that you're highlighting the difficulties, good luck in Parliament."
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