Television presenter Ruth Dodsworth has said that her story of domestic abuse going public was the "best thing" as she has been able to speak out to help others.
The ITV weather presenter thanked people for "listening" after going on This Morning after her husband Jonathan Wignall, 54, was jailed for three years for coercive and controlling behaviour and stalking.
She said on social media: "If you can relate. If you’re going through similar. This is for you. Thank you for listening. Help is out there."
Speaking to presenters Rochelle Humes and Phillip Schofield, Ruth said her story becoming public was "something I never saw coming" as the details of her case and victim statement came out as her husband was sentenced.
"In a sense it has been the hardest time but – because that decision to go public was always taken away from me – it's been the best thing in hindsight that has ever happened," she said.
The presenter, who has been on screen for 25 years, also told how she believes her life was saved when her children phoned urging her not to come home because Wignall was threatening to kill her.
Ms Dodworth suffered both physical and mental abuse from her husband of 18 years including fracturing her rib and showing up at her workplace, which she said escalated when his nightclub business failed.
She said at the peak of the abuse her children called her and said: "Mum, don't come home – he is going to kill you" which she said was "a turning point".
"One day, he started drinking early in the day and by the time the children got home from school they were phoning me, warning me 'Don't come home', saying he was going to kill me," she said.
"That was a turning point. I didn't go home and I think that if I did I don't think I would be here today in any way shape or form. I wouldn't be alive if I didn't ask for help. It took confiding with someone else saying that if I didn't phone the police they would."
Last week a court heard how Wignall's controlling nature, which lasted nine years, had a "devastating impact" on Ms Dodsworth and even affected her career as as a presenter with ITV Wales after his continual harassment affected her confidence.
In a statement read out to the court Ms Dodsworth, 45, said she would have to portray a "happy, sunshine-like" personality while on television when she felt the opposite inside.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court heard Wignall was arrested on October 18, 2019, after his behaviour came to a head after calling her more than 150 times during the day and Ms Dodsworth did not return to the family home in Cowbridge for fears for her safety.
She also told the presenters her job made it harder to speak out because "there is this expectation that you smile and you're happy and sometimes that couldn't have been further from the truth".
She added: "My case is just one of so many and I am so lucky to have been given this platform and to use this public arena.
"Not being believed is something I really did fear but I was believed and I would say to anyone that you will too."
For confidential advice contact the Suzy Lamplugh Trust National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300 and Byw heb Ofn / Live Fear Free via 0808 8010 800.
