Scarlett Moffatt
(Picture: PA)Former Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt has revealed she called the Samaritans for support after feeling lonely.
The TV personality, who also won I’m A Celebrity, is now an ambassador for the suicide prevention charity, and shared her story in a bid to help others.
She told the BBC that she had turned to the charity after struggling following a move to London.
“I remember feeling guilt when I felt lonely - because to many people I have no reason to feel alone, but loneliness affects us all,” she said.
“Sometimes it can feel like there is a negative stigma around admitting that you’re lonely, but it’s something that most people will have experienced at one point in their life. There is no shame in feeling alone, and it’s OK to talk about it.
“In the world of social media, it’s not always clear to see when people are feeling sad or lonely.”
The 31-year-old star urged anyone who was struggling to call the charity, saying it helped her to talk to someone she knew would not judge her about how she was feeling.
Since the start of the pandemic, the charity has reported a 22 per cent increase in calls from people needing emotional support who mention loneliness.
The rise in call numbers was greater in women than men, it said.
According to official ONS statistics, an estimated 7.2 per cent of UK adults felt lonely “often” or “always” between October 2020 and February 2021.
It found that feelings of loneliness appeared to be more stark in poorer, urban areas and places with a higher proportion of young people.
People aged between 16 and 24 were also the most likely to report feeling lonely.
The media personality spoke last month about how she had rediscovered her Christian faith after a pilgrimage.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, she said she was “getting used to” being a Christian after the trip across Ireland and Scotland, meeting priests along the way, for a TV show.
She said: “I was travelling for 15 long days but it did feel like a year.
“My grandad was always really religious and I would do a prayer when I was in a sad place but I didn’t really know what my religion was and I wanted to find out what religion means to me.
“It was really thought provoking. I am normally on my phone or chatting with my friends but I have taken the time to think now.”
Anyone seeking help can call Samaritans free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
