17 August 2023 , 14:59
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EastEnders star Danniella Westbrook needs people around her who care for her, according to Chantelle Houghton.
The television star who found fame in 2006 after appearing on Celebrity Big Brother has never shied away from her own personal issues which she endured since becoming a household name. Now, she's shared her view on actress Danniella Westbrook who has also been open about her issues as well as struggles with addiction.
Danniella, 49, has never shied away from sharing her issues but Chantelle, 39, believes the star needs a strong support network around her in order to continue her happiness and fresh lifestyle.
"Danniella Westbrook, she definitely needs some help," Chantelle said before adding: "I don't mean that in a condescending way, she genuinely does need somebody to take care of her."
Chantelle Houghton has called on Danniella Westbrook to spend time out of the public eye (chantelle_houghton/Instagram)
Danniella has never shied away from discussing her personal struggles (GC Images)Speaking to the Mirror, she continued: "It's really, really sad to see money being made off of somebody else's sadness. We're all here watching it like it's some sort of monkey in a circus, it's awful. Danniella would have to take that step herself, only you can remove yourself from the public eye, I managed it, you can do it."
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Reflecting on her own issues, Chantelle explained that after appearing in Ultimate Big Brother in 2010, things were "big" for her, but just three years later, she made a conscious decision to step back from life in the public eye. She said: "I took a step back for personal reasons, just did some work on myself.
"I had a lot of horrible stuff being done to me and I just wasn't mentally strong enough to continue being in the public eye. I love what I do, I'm not going to let anyone take that away from me.
"I'm back, I'm better and I'm healing. I've got a lot of exciting things that I want to do with my life. I'm 40 on Monday, so life begins on Monday." Despite having her life thrown into the eyes of the media, Chantelle explained she never wanted to be famous after appearing on Big Brother.
The mum-of-one stated that she hadn't had a "great education" and wanted to better her life and travel across the world. She said: "I didn't go on there to be famous, that was the second thing that came from it. I'm so grounded, I've got no airs and graces, we're all just human beings at the end of the day."
But despite finding fame on reality shows, Chantelle said that she often feels for younger people who have ambitions of going ont o shows to find fame. "It just becomes their whole life and when it fades and it will fade, it did for me, that's when their world comes crashing down.
"Depression, mental health, I think it's important to enjoy the experience and not become too big for your boots!"
Chantelle Houghton was speaking on behalf of ICE 36. Check out the ICE 36 blog for more from Chantelle Houghton.