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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Victoria Johns

Vanessa Feltz's ex Ben Ofoedu says he 'understands' suicidal thoughts after break-up

Vanessa Feltz's ex, Ben Ofoedu, says he 'understands' suicidal thoughts after splitting up with the Celebrity Big Brother star.

The Phats & Small singer, 50, admitted to cheating on Vanessa, 61, causing her to end the couple's 16-year relationship.

Ben said he was "heartbroken" after the break-up and received abuse from fans fuming over his infidelity.

However, he's now focusing on his new theatre show Tony and Tina's Wedding, which he says 'saved his life'.

"Tony And Tina's Wedding literally saved my life. Like, literally saved my life," he admitted.

"I had two major griefs. I had my brother pass away and then shortly after that, my relationship with Vanessa was no more.

Ben Ofoedu, has admitted he can understand why people 'want to end it all' (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images for Sony Pictures)
Vanessa announced her break-up from Ben in February (Getty Images for Orion Books)

"That's a 17 year relationship. And man, I was just spiralling out of control. I just felt like everything was closing in on me.

"I kind of understand now how people feel that there's no way out and they just want to end it all," reports MailOnline.

Ben says he was trolled in the aftermath of his split with Vanessa, saying he started to feel like a "really horrible person" after reading the comments.

Vanessa told fans she was also 'devastated' after the break-up, taking to Instagram in tears, saying when the 'trust is gone there's nothing left'.

They were together for 16 years (Getty Images for Bauer Media)
Ben says he's been trolled since they split (PA)

The TalkTV host recently praised her This Morning colleagues for helping her through the 'dark times'.

She said that both Holly Willoughby and Alison Hammond had been there for her as she recovered from the shock of discovering Ben's infidelity.

"I’ve known Alison for about 21 years, and Holly for 10 – it’s a long time," she says. "We’re proper friends in real life. It’s not just a TV thing, it’s a real thing. Both of those women are 100 per cent there for me, and have been in various different circumstances.

"Without question, they’re among the first women I hear from. They’re great women and they’re great friends."

She added to OK! Magazine: "They are excellent company and tremendous for a girls’ night out."

Vanessa said she was devastated by Ben's infidelity (itv)

Vanessa was left heartbroken when she discovered that Ben had been having an affair while he was away from home starring in pantomime.

His ‘other woman’ messaged the star's daughter Allegra, on Instagram, picking Christmas Day to reveal the Phats & Small singer's infidelity.

A few weeks later, Vanessa bravely took to Instagram to post a video announcing the split, saying, "I haven’t been on Instagram for three weeks, and that’s because my relationship with Ben is over after 16 years."

The Samaritans is available 24/7 if you need to talk. You can contact them for free by calling 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or head to the website to find your nearest branch. You matter.

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