Kirsty Gallacher has revealed she was left with PTSD following her ‘painful’ split from ex-husband Paul Sampson.
The TV personality, 44, split from retired rugby star Paul, 42, in 2015 following a 15-year relationship.
And five years on, the star spoke about the trauma of their ‘devastating’ break-up, admitting that it left her ‘grieving and mourning.’
Tough time: Kirsty Gallacher has revealed she was left with PTSD following her ‘painful’ split from ex-husband Paul Sampson (pictured in 2019)
Speaking to The Sun, the star outlined the heartbreaking effect that her divorce had on her, revealing that it left her ‘devastated’ and struggling to eat.
Kirsty, who was married to Paul between 2010 and 2015, told the publication: ‘The divorce was a very difficult period. I found it devastating.
‘I was grieving and mourning. I think I had post traumatic stress disorder. I was skinny, not eating and wanting to black it all out. It was painful.’
The model went on to tell the the Outspoken Beauty podcast that amid the divorce, she was left ‘saddened’ for her two sons Oscar, 13, and 10-year-old Jude, whom she shares with Paul.
All over: The TV personality, 44, split from retired rugby star Paul, 42, in 2015 following a 15 year relationship (pictured in 2011)
She said: ‘I felt a burden and a sadness for my children, even though I didn’t do anything wrong and Sammo didn’t do anything wrong. No one was to blame.’
Meanwhile, the former Sky Sports presenter admitted that she regretted taking part in Strictly Come Dancing so soon after the split, adding that it ‘wasn’t the right time.’
Kirsty, who took part in the show in 2015 and was paired with Brendan Cole told the Made By Mamas podcast: ‘It was a horrible time and I was grief-stricken for the children.
‘I was doing Strictly Come Dancing which I loved but I definitely shouldn’t have done it. It wasn’t the right time.’
Difficult: Five years on, the star opened up about the trauma of their ‘devastating’ break-up, admitting that it left her ‘grieving and mourning’ (pictured in 2019)
It was recently revealed that Kirsty and Paul Sampson toasted their divorce from opposite ends of a champagne bar.
The couple were in a feud after calling an end to their 15 years together and they had one awkward drink sitting far apart at the plush bar.
But ex-England rugby ace Paul decided to go over and finally call a truce to call an end to the bitterness.
He told The Sun on Sunday: ‘She got quite annoyed but I said, “Look, this doesn’t have to be a war.”‘
Paul was speaking publicly for the first time since the pair’s split six years ago.
He said: ‘I could have had plenty to say, especially after Kirsty gave one or two interviews that indicated I had packed a bag and left the family home.’
Traumatic divorce: ‘I was grieving and mourning. I think I had post traumatic stress disorder. I was skinny, not eating and wanting to black it all out. It was painful’ (pictured in 2010)
He revealed how Kirsty announced she wanted a divorce while he was in a pit of depression after hanging up his rugby boots, compounded by the death of his father.
The former London Wasps player struggled with becoming a stay-at-home father while his wife was travelling the world for Sky Sports.
He has now launched his own life-coaching business to help sports players and separating couples.
He said: ‘When you come to the end of your career you think you’re a bit washed up. It was a tough time. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.’
The glamorous couple met in 1999 shortly after Paul had won his first cap for England and Kirsty was made the new face of Sky Sports News.
Family: ‘I felt a burden and a sadness for my children, even though I didn’t do anything wrong and Sammo didn’t do anything wrong. No one was to blame’
They married in 2010 in a £50,000 ceremony in Spain but their relationship started to wobble the following year after Paul’s retirement from rugby due to injury.
He went into a depression and did not know what to do with himself, a situation worsened by the fact he had failed to come to terms with his father’s death in 2004.
Kirsty recently splashed out £1.4 million on a stunning newly built barn-style house in Ascot following her divorce from Paul.
In the divorce she had kept their marital home in Virginia Water, and lived there with sons Oscar and Jude.
The presenter sold the Surrey home for £895,000 and relocated to the farmhouse in Berkshire with her children and pet pooches.
Regrets: The former Sky Sports presenter admitted that she regretted taking part in Strictly Come Dancing so soon after the split, adding that it ‘wasn’t the right time’
Kirsty’s decision to sell up comes after she announced last year that she was considering moving away.
Speaking to Metro in September, she explained: ‘When I met Paul, my former husband, we moved to Virginia Water, which felt like going home, as it was where I grew up.
‘I am still there, along with our British bull dog Betsy and our rather excitable French bull dog Bertie. My boys were born in this house and go to school locally. I’ve done a lot of work to it, but, as much as we love it, another move is on the cards.’
Kirsty was able to secure £895,000 for the Virginia Water home which also boasted four bedrooms, a patio garden area and spacious living area.
Reflection: Paul said in a recent interview: ‘I could have had plenty to say, especially after Kirsty gave one or two interviews that indicated I had packed a bag and left the family home’ (pictured in 2007)