WEDNESDAY 14 » STYLEFEBRUARY 25, 2009 M.E.N. Life & Style I thought I’d die before I quit booze Former Happy Mondays backing singer and X Factor finalist Rowetta Satchell put herself through detox for a reality TV show to be broadcast tonight, writes Gary Ryan

HEN Rowetta reduced to emotional rubble by story to a tabloid detailing his Satchell an abusive relationship with her reign of terror against her. agreed to take ex-husband. “That set me right back be- part in Rehab Before she embarked on the cause I saw his face and I was – Living’s new show – persuaded into it by saying ‘I’m finding this really, reality TV se- friend Peter Hook – she was really difficult’. I was hoping Wries following seven celebrities convinced it was only a matter someone would come forward as they attempt to conquer their of time before she was dead. and offer therapy.” demons – she had no idea how “I was convinced I was going Instead, she was inundated gruelling it would be. to die of liver disease,” she ad- with offers from publishers to “It was one therapy session mits. “I didn’t think I would ever pen a misery-memoir about her after another, from eight in the be able to give up drinking. I experiences. Having kept it se- morning until five at night. You kept blacking out. That’s when I cret for so long, Rowetta felt a don’t get a chance to think knew I needed help. Anything profound sense of shame at the about anything other than your could happen to me on the way abuse suddenly being public. problems.” home. I have to feel to see if I’ve “I didn’t want the nation to Watching her undergoing de- got underwear on and think, know,” she says. “I didn’t want tox treatment for alcoholism ‘God, am I all right?’” people feeling sorry and intensive counselling at the At the root of Row- for me. Part of the rea- Passages clinic in Malibu, what etta’s problem was ‘I was worried son why I drink is so emerges is that Rowetta’s mad- her tormented past that people that people think I’m for-it persona camouflages a as a victim of domes- only wanted to strong. Any potential sweet-natured woman who was tic violence. She met boyfriend seeing me, her ex-partner Noel see this mad, they’re going to think when she was a 16- crazy, drunken I’m weak because I’ve year-old Bury school- been beaten up. girl. Within two woman’ “Because you see it weeks, she had moved in and with a lot of women, they end was soon being used as a punch- up being beaten up by the next FACING UP TO HER DEMONS Former Happy Mondays backing singer and X Factor contestant bag. one.” » Rowetta Satchell has only fallen off the wagon once since she stopped drinking in rehab It’s a grim and raw portrait of One legacy from this system- domestic abuse. One night, she atic dismantling of her confi- it!’,” she sighs. “I was gutted. I home and feel a bit empty. So in- who liked me, seeing me sober recalls being beaten for eight dence was that Rowetta thought I’d let everyone down.” stead of drinking, I can ring wouldn’t like me anymore,” she hours; her knee being shattered developed a social phobia. “I The first person she phoned Robin.” reveals. “That they only wanted with a hammer. She tried to kill drink whenever I have to meet after the “slip-up” was fellow Admittedly, she has had to to see this mad, crazy, drunken herself with an overdose, but people, or else I’d suffer anxiety celebrity participant and for- make changes to her social life. woman. But I’m 43 now. You’ve was found and had her stomach attacks. Sometimes, when I had mer Bay City Roller Les McKe- “Bez is my best mate, but I’ve got to let it go sometime. pumped. She says she put up to go to Tesco’s, I’d drink. My own who – along with Robin Le had to avoid seeing him until he “I don’t think I’ll ever get a with the violence for five years life was a blur.” Mesurier (the son of Dad’s Ar- can respect that I don’t drink.” boyfriend again, because I don’t before fleeing to a refuge. Since returning from rehab, my’s John Le Mesurier and While the programme prised have the confidence without a “I had the most horrendous she’s maintained a regime of Carry On’s Hattie Jacques) – open old wounds for Rowetta, it drink. I don’t remember kissing abuse marks all over my body psychotherapy and only fallen have acted as a vital support also forced her family – includ- anyone sober. But that doesn’t and horrible things happen to off the wagon once – on New group for each other. “Robin’s ing daughter Georgina and son matter because for the first me and wasn’t offered any Year’s Eve. “It was a gig, it was in LA so it’s great when it’s Derek - to finally discuss sub- time I’m looking forward to a counselling,” she remembers 2am. I was sober and everyone three o clock in the morning, jects they had avoided for years, future I never thought I’d have.” ON SONG But Rowetta hid her candidly. During her time on else was *****. I couldn’t get a you can ring him,” she says. “Af- bringing them closer together. ------problems from the public The X Factor, her ex sold his taxi so I just thought ‘oh **** ter a gig, sometimes I come “I was worried that people » Rehab is on Living at 9pm.

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