Frankie Bridge doesn't want to be a 'poster girl' for depression

29 March 2018

Frankie Bridge is worried about being seen as a "poster girl" for depression.

Frankie Bridge

The former Saturdays singer has been open about her mental health struggles in recent years, and while she knows it's important to speak out, she is wary of being defined by it.

Appearing on ITV's 'Loose Women', she said: "It's a weird one. It's refreshing that everyone knows. I always, and kind of sometimes still am, scared of being the poster girl for depression ... I know that's probably not how people think, but it does make me nervous."

Frankie, 29, admitted that being in The Saturdays - and the 'Just Can't Get Enough' girl group's huge fame - made her battle a little more difficult.

She explained: "I got to the point where I just couldn't cope with everyday life ... I had to become a character of myself to walk into a room and be Frankie from The Saturdays."

She added: "I think it was tiredness, and keeping it a secret."

Meanwhile Frankie - who has sons Carter, two, and Parker, four, with her retired soccer star husband Wayne Bridge - revealed how her man stood by her early in their relationship.

She shared: "He could've walked the other way, and he didn't. He worked really hard to understand it."

She previously admitted that she was, at first, unwilling to accept her depression - even after being diagnosed by a doctor.

Frankie confessed: "As a child, I was prone to overthinking, but I thought it was just my personality. It wasn't until an intense period of touring with The Saturdays in 2011 that I broke down to my doctor.

"When he used the words 'depression' and 'anxiety', I didn't want to hear them - he might as well have called me crazy. I started therapy but, a year in, when I hadn't noticed much of a difference, my therapist suggested I start taking antidepressants.

"I was putting everything into trying to convince everyone I was fine. Before entering a room, I'd take a deep breath and say to myself: 'How would Frankie from The Saturdays behave?' I'd be louder, bubblier, happier.'"