Bandmate’s pride at Michelle overcoming her addiction demons
MICHELLE Heaton’s Liberty X bandmate told yesterday of her pride at seeing her “fighter” friend overcome a drink and drug addiction to take part in Dancing on Ice.
Jessica Pietersen, who has been pals with Michelle for more than 20 years, said: “The difference in Michelle now compared to before rehab is absolutely night and day.
“To go through what she has and to do this show she’s always dreamt about doing is the icing on the cake for her.
“She is very much a symbol of getting through some really tough times and facing some real adversity and coming out the other side stronger.
“All credit to her for doing that.
“I’m just so happy and proud of her.”
Mum-oftwo Michelle spoke openly on last weekend’s launch show about getting a second chance with the series – after having to turn down a previous offer due of her addiction struggles.
Despite huge support from fans, the singer, 43, was left teary last week after being overcome with nerves during her first live performance.
She told dance partner
Lukasz Rozycki “I’m so sorry” after scoring bottom of the
leaderboard with 19 points. On Monday, she told her fans: “Last night was just everything. After a glitch in the matrix and a tough position in the scoreboard, I am so grateful for the support you guys have given me and Lukasz.”
Jessica, 42, a former Dancing on Ice finalist herself, said: “She is without doubt a fighter.that can only stand her in good stead for a new experience like Dancing On Ice.
“If there’s anyone who will face up to a challenge and grab something by the scruff of the neck it will be Michelle.”
Describing the months before starting rehab at the Priory clinic in April 2021, when Michelle was close to death, Jessica admitted:
“Over a fairly long period of time we were so worried about her.
“We had conversations about trying to intervene but when someone is in active addiction they’re not ready to receive that type of stuff – and she wasn’t at first.
“When she was ready, we were all like, ‘Thank God’. It was such a huge relief to see someone we all love so much getting help.”
Jessica, who is married to cricketer Kevin Pietersen, also heaped praise on her bandmate for finding strength after being diagnosed with a mutated BRCA2 gene in 2012 which meant she had an 80 per cent chance of developing breast cancer and a 30 per cent chance of developing ovarian cancer.
She underwent a double mastectomy and had breast reconstructive surgery.
Jessica said: “I was in awe of her going through those things.
“Just a few weeks after her double mastectomy we were doing the Big Reunion tour.
“I was just floored by the fact this woman had been through a major operation and was getting up on stage.”