Michelle Heaton has opened up about how she nearly lost her husband during her battle with alcoholism as she reflected on ‘burning bridges’.
The Liberty X singer, 45, has been sober for three and a half years after she was hospitalised in 2021 during her battle with drink and drugs.
And while Michelle has been living her life to the fullest with Irish husband Hugh Hanley and their two children, daughter Faith, 12, and son AJ, 10, things have not always been so good for the couple.
She told OK! Magazine, that at the height of her addiction she would continually tell her businessman husband to leave her and would often push him away.
When asked if her addiction impacted her relationship with her husband, Michelle said: ‘Massively – my husband, thank God, never walked out.
‘He knew I was in there somewhere, he was just waiting for me to find myself again.
Michelle Heaton has opened up about how she nearly lost her husband Hugh Hanley during her battle with alcoholism as she reflected on ‘burning bridges’
The Liberty X singer, 45, has been sober for three and a half years after she nearly died and was hospitalised in 2021 during her battle with drink and drugs (pictured during her battle)
‘I’ve burnt bridges with friends – they couldn’t bear to see me self-destruct.
‘When you’re an alcoholic, you push people away because you feel like you don’t deserve love.’
Michelle explained that they now communicate very openly about her previous issues and have ‘answered a lot of questions’.
During the four years of her addiction Hugh has to disassociate from her behaviour in a bid to ‘stay healthy for their family’.
Dubbing Hugh ‘Mr Perfect’, the songstress said she has a ‘very good man’ and saved her life but his messy behaviour at home does drive her crazy.
At the height of her battle, the singer drank two bottles of wine and a bottle of vodka ‘virtually every day since 2018’, when an intervention led by Katie Price resulted in her checking herself into rehab.
Speaking to The Sun, Michelle said: ‘What I was doing was a suicide mission. I was crying out for help when I couldn’t actually ask for help. When you’re an addict, it feels like there’s no way out.
‘I hit rock bottom with the alcohol and had excruciating pains. My doctor could feel my liver sticking out because I was so thin.’
Michelle us living her life to the fullest with Irish husband Hugh Hanley and their two children, daughter Faith, 12, and son AJ, 10, but things have not always been so good for the couple
Michelle also told how she embarked on a ‘three year coke binge’ that saw her consuming a gram of cocaine a night alongside alcohol.
Discussing her friends’ intervention, she said: ‘I was shaking and I was crying. I was intoxicated. Katie Price said, “Right, you’re going to The Priory”.’
Katie has previously been a patient at The Priory as she battled her own demons.
The doting mother was told by Priory staff that the level of the enzyme GGT – which indicates liver damage – in her blood was 2,5000 compared to a healthy person’s 30.
During the Christmas period of 2020, Michelle was hospitalised following a mammoth drinking session in Liverpool, with the star needing to be put on a drip for 48 hours after blacking out.
However, after she was discharged she headed straight to the nearest off-licence and carried on drinking.
Weeks earlier, she had collapsed backstage at a theatre as she prepared to take to the stage for a performance, when she was left dangerously dehydrated by booze.
Michelle previosuly said she feels ‘lucky to be alive’ after achieving sobriety, believing she has a guardian angel who watches over her.
She told new! magazine: ‘On paper, I really should have died years ago. But there’s an angel out there keeping an eye on me and I’m so grateful.
‘Every day, I know I’m lucky to be alive and here for Faith and AJ.’
At the height of her battle, the singer drank two bottles of wine and a bottle of vodka ‘virtually every day since 2018’, when an intervention led by Katie Price resulted in her checking herself into rehab
Meanwhile, Michelle lashed out at ‘so-called friends’ who attempted to cash in on her addiction nightmare.
She told OK! magazine: ‘When I came out of rehabilitation, my family and I decided to share my story in my own time and in my own words so the narrative couldn’t be twisted by people around me who were so-called friends.’
When asked who was betraying her, Michelle explained: ‘I had people who were trying to make a bit of money on the side and sell their experiences of my addiction. Those people know who they are.
‘So I took matters into my own hands to tell my truth. It did me a favour in the end – it helped me to be honest and to help others.’
She told the publication: ‘I’m feeling amazing. I’m so free now and it’s a place I dreamed of getting to.’
For help with alcohol or drugs, call FRANK 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0300 123 6600 or text 82111