Chanelle Hayes: Baring My Heart

Appearing in Big Brother in 2007, Victoria Beckham lookalike Chanelle Hayes quickly became a national talking point thanks to her tears, tantrums, and explosive relationship with fellow housemate Ziggy Lichman. But despite being one of the most successful BB housemates of all time, with a flourishing modeling career and even a foray into the pop world, there is so much more to Yorkshire born-and-bred Chanelle than showbiz ups and downs. The young mom’s life has been etched with tragedy, right from the moment she was born in prison in 1987. Just a few months old, she was orphaned when her drug-addicted mother was brutally murdered. With the real reason for her mother’s death shrouded in secrecy, Chanelle’s teenage years were marked by an agonizing quest for the truth—which saw her go to extreme and devastating lengths for answers, including attempted suicide. Her rocky past has also been plagued by eating disorders, while Chanelle’s romantic history has been defined by heartache and despair. Brutally honest and astonishingly sad, Chanelle’s story does not make for easy reading, and she is the first to admit that she is no angel. In spite of all her troubles, Chanelle has emerged a stronger, happier woman, who has finally tackled her demons and can now embrace a brighter future with confidence.