Lisa Snowdon says she found out a partner cheated on her after getting a sexually transmitted disease.
The TV presenter revealed how her “man about town” ex was also physically and mentally abusive to her.
According to the Daily Star, Lisa, 51, said: “I found out finally about one cheating incident as he gave me a very nasty STD – the kind that only comes from putting it about, a lot.
“I was mortified – 19 years old and riddled with a vile sexually transmitted infection. It made my blood boil, and I felt beyond disgusted.”
In her new self-help book, Just Getting Started, Lisa opened up about the coercive control her ex had over her.
She explained: “I have come to realise that words cut so much deeper than physical abuse, their impact creating such a blow that I don’t think you can ever forget them.
“This is how it started: words, digs, taking advantage of me, chipping away more and more at my self-confidence and my self-esteem. Bullying behaviour, pure and simple.
“His temper got worse, as he picked on me constantly, and not content with using all my money (he didn’t make any at all), he also cheated on me repeatedly while I was off on shoots.
“I know now he was deeply insecure and, in turn, tried to make me feel that way to keep control and power, which of course worked, as I wasn’t into mind games and certainly didn’t understand that was what was going on.”
She added: “Admitting this to you now, I hope it may save the life of someone who is the victim of an abuser."
It comes after Lisa revealed she previously explored sex with women.
“I was, of course, deeply attracted to the opposite sex, and sometimes to the same sex, and I would be lying if I said I hadn’t experimented a little - that was fun and I certainly have no regrets,” Lisa writes in her book.
"A friend told me that a lot of women in the menopause who are attracted to women are acting on it, as they feel they no longer need men. And I kind of understand it.
"Sleeping with women can be a much more sensual, more gentle, more intense and more giving experience."
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk