The last decade has been anything but plain sailing for Liberty X star Michelle Heaton. Ten years ago, following two major cancer prevention procedures - Michelle going through a premature surgical menopause at just 34 years of age.The Geordie singer plummeted into a spiral of depression, turning to both alcohol and drugs to ease the numerous medical blows she’d received.
All of this had a huge impact not only on her relationships with family, but also on her work as a performer. In April last year, the now 42-year-old mum-of-two made the brave decision to check in to The Priory rehabilitation facility in a final bid to save herself, repair relationships with her family, and continue to perform with her remaining bandmates Jessica Taylor, 41, and Kelli Young, 40.
Reminiscing on her recovery, Michelle - who has since launched a range of menopause friendly clothing line called Fifty One Apparel - describes her first sober Liberty X performance last year as a "terrifying experience". "When we first started performing as a band in our early days, we had a couple of drinks at every gig," she explains. "It gave us confidence. "So, I was a bit apprehensive of how I’d feel singing and dancing without having had a couple of drinks down me. "But I ended up having the time of my life during our first live show.
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