LOOSE Women star Kelle Bryan broke down in tears as she opened up about her domestic abuse for ITV’s Facing It Together campaign.

On Tuesday’s episode, Kelle, Sophie Morgan, Janet Street-Porter and Brenda Edwards bravely opened up on their personal accounts of domestic abuse.

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Kelle Bryan opened up about her ‘mental and physical’ domestic abuse

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The Hollyoaks star said her ex would aggressively hold her wrists
Hollyoaks actress Kelle, 48, said she is “still paying her abusive ex’s debts” after he nearly financially ruined her.

The Eternal singer said she was also physically abused and was held aggressively by the wrists on occasions.

Speaking about the campaign’s shoot, Kelle said: “It came organically as I was preparing for the picture – the minute I took my wrist, it reminded me of what used to happen to me physically.

“What lots of abusers, some are more astute than others. My wrists were something he’d use of a regular basis to restrain me in different ways and that is a way of them feeling….”

Kelle then paused for a moment as she fought back her tears.

The Loose Women audience gave her a round of applause, while her fellow panel members checked if she was okay to continue.

Kelle replied: “Yeah…it’s a way of them feeling,” she then began to well up but continued: “It’s a way of them feeling that they have control over you – but equally a way that they can say they didn’t hit you either.

“In those days, the language around domestic abuse was very much like ‘oh has he?’, that’s the question people in authority would ask.

“‘Did he hit you?’ All I could say no – he hasn’t actually physically hit me, so that must be okay.”

Kelle said her family and friends had warned her about her ex.

She said: “He was a good looking guy but looks can be decieving.

“It got to the point…I need to apologise to my friends and family for not listening and not being in a place where I could hear them warning me.

“There is still debt that I’m paying on his behalf now, just because I signed things on his behalf. I’d given him a card. He had lost his job and he was saying he had felt emasculated.”

“It was physical, as well as finacial. That takes a massive toll on you, your friends, your family.

“I could have lost my home.

“That all happened and that is all very true.”

Kelle said she then went on a personal retreat and knew she needed to put an end to her toxic relationship when she returned.

They also discussed the types of domestic abuse – from knowing what to say, how to speak up and help people living with domestic abuse so no one has to suffer in silence.

Eight of the show’s panel members recently took part in an emotive photoshoot and short film to raise awareness around this important issue.

In a short film that played during the lunchtime show, fellow co-stars Olivia Attwood, Charlene White, Frankie Bridge, Judi Love and Sunetra Sarker explained why they are supporting the campaign.

As statistics show one in four women and one in seven men will face domestic abuse within their lifetime.

The campaign’s key image shows the eight women coming together to show the many faces of domestic abuse – saying: “Whether you are a survivor or a friend, we are facing it together”.

Sally Shelford, Editor of Loose Women said: “At Loose Women we’re always proud to represent the issues facing our viewers at home.

“We hope that this campaign gives a voice to the many survivors and those living with abuse, as well as empowering their friends and family to know the best ways they can help and approach these difficult conversations.

“We really hope that our campaign helps both survivors and their friends and family face it together.”

Suzanne Jacob, CEO, SafeLives, said: “National campaigns like Facing It Together are so important.

“Abusers will tell you no one cares about you, no one will believe you and you have no one else.

“The Loose Women panel are making it clear that is absolutely not true. You are not alone. And there is life after abuse.

“Domestic abuse thrives when it is behind closed doors. If you’re worried about someone – don’t wait for them to reach out, reach in.

“Domestic abuse is everyone’s business. Only together, can we make it stop.”

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Kelle said it took a toll on her and her family

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The Eternal singer said she is still paying her ex’s debtsCredit: Getty