DEE TELLS OF ABUSE BY HER EX STAR’S TWO-YEAR ORDEAL

“WHITE Dee” has told how she suffered domestic abuse at the hands of an ex.

It is the first time the telly star, 44, has spoken about her ordeal during the two-year relationship.

In a candid chat with the Daily Star Sunday, Dee said: “He tried to isolate me from my friends and manipulate me mentally. It was domestic abuse.

“I’ve always been someone who doesn’t let people into my children’s lives but I did with him. When you do that your defences get let down. Love does funny things to a person.

“Once you’re behind closed doors you’re a different person. No one really knows what goes on in private.

“A lot of people think domestic abuse is just physical but it’s not at all. I was lucky because I’m a strong person.

“I’m just happy I’m no longer in that relationship.”

Dee, whose real name is Deirdre Kelly, was bullied and controlled during the relationship but thought her partner’s behaviour was acceptable.

It was only after she become a patron of SODA – Survivors of Domestic Abuse – and met other victims she realised that was what she

ED GLEAVE TV Editor had suffered. Dee said: “That’s when it clicked. I realised it had happened to me. Even at the end of the relationship I didn’t realise in my head that it was emotional abuse.

“When I met survivors and heard their stories I was thinking ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe you’re standing here’. It’s scary what goes on.”

Dee hopes that speaking out about her experiences will encourage other abuse victims to find an escape.

She said: “I know people who’ve had abuse that’s physical, emotional and mental and they don’t want to talk about it.

“There is still such a stigma attached to it. You’d be surprised how many people don’t want to call the police.

“It’s time we said ‘enough is enough’. Just one word to someone will help you change your situation.

“People need to know they don’t have to be a victim any more and there are places you can go. “Somewhere they will be provided with clothes and food.” SODA, which is based in the West Midlands, has teamed up with Soul Care Aesthetics in Cannock to offer victims beauty treatments.