X FACTOR STAR: I HAD SECRET ALCOHOLISM

FORMER X Factor star didn’t think she’d live beyond of alcohol.

The Northern Irish singer/songwriter, 25, has opened up about her secret battle with alcoholism – admitting she thought it would be the death of her.

Now sober, Janet recounts her struggles on her latest single Away With The Fairies.

Janet told me: “Writing a song about alcoholism is incredibly hard without it being too emotional, but alcoholism was my escapism. “But it was harder not talking about it as it’s such a big part of me, and my recovery has been a big part of my life. So finally being able to tell people my story, and what has been going on is really liberating actually.”

Now back with new music – including a forthcoming LP titled Confessional – Janet believes she’s lucky to be here.

She said: “I didn’t think I would still be living if I am completely honest, I never saw my life going a day past 19 years old.

“So the fact that I am here, living the dream, and making music, waking up every day is insane.

“Honestly, I thought to exist was to be in pain, and I did not see a way out.”

She was battling the addiction during her time on the The X Factor in 2011, but Janet insisted it wasn’t ITV’S duty of care to help her once the show wrapped up.

Janet said: “I went to therapy during the show, I went to their provided therapist, but I don’t know, should a company be responsible for paying for someone? “Because I was in my own right of mind to sign up for the show, I wasn’t an idiot. I knew it could be taxing on your mental health, and it could change your life, you are aware of it. “I think maybe we are more aware of how these things can affect our mental health, we have the knowledge.” Confessional is out on May 1.

Janet Devlin

19 because