Hollyoaks star Stephanie Waring reveals she battled anorexia aged 14
Stephanie Waring has revealed her struggle with anorexia as a teenager.
The Hollyoaks actress opened up about being hospitalised for four months due to her eating disorder at just 14 years old.
"It was bad, really bad. I weighed 4st 7lb," she said to new! magazine. "The doctors basically said, 'If you don't go to hospital, you may as well get hit by a bus because you're going to die'."
Speaking about how her eating disorder started, she said: "There was never one particular trigger.
"I was basically a fat kid and I wanted to look good in hot pants. I went on a diet but the diet never ended. I lost more and more weight, and started eating less, then I became scared to eat because I thought I'd put the weight back on."
Stephanie, who has played Cindy Cunningham on the Channel 4 soap since 1996, also spoke about how she is affected by it now.
"I don't think it ever leaves you, especially because I was so young," she said.
"I'm 41 now but it's something so ingrained in you psychologically, so it's always there in the back of your mind. But I've learned to have a different relationship with food now and I have a lot more acceptance with my body."
Steph recently teased a big storyline she has coming up on the Channel 4 soap.
"I'm so fortunate that they keep finding new stories with more depth and more to do with Cindy," she said. "She's so much fun to play."
Hollyoaks airs weekdays at 6.30pm on Channel 4, with first look episodes at 7pm on E4.
Beat promotes awareness and understanding of eating disorders, also challenging inaccurate stereotypes and stigma. Find out more at Beat's website. Beat's helpline for those aged 18 and over is 0808 801 0677, and there's also a dedicated Youthline for those under 18 – 0808 801 0711.
Read more news, spoilers and gossip on our Hollyoaks homepage
Digital Spy Soap Scoop video – hit play below for all the latest Hollyoaks spoilers, as James gets jealous over Harry, and Scott keeps a secret from newcomer Levi.
Want up-to-the-minute soaps news, spoilers and gossip on your social feeds? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Soaps Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @soapscoop Twitter account.
('You Might Also Like',)
