‘PTSD was a welcome diagnosis'

Jess Impiazzi opens up about life after reality TV, writing a self-help book and overcoming her demons

- BOBBY NORRIS

Fellow reality TV star Jess Impiazzi first appeared on our screens as a Sugar Hut Honey on TOWIE in 2012 and caused havoc when she told Lucy Mecklenburgh that her boyfriend Mario Falcone had been sending her flirty texts.

Three years later she appeared in the second series of MTV’s Ex On The Beach alongside Gaz Beadle and Charlotte Crosby (brave!) before returning for series five.

But the 31-year-old has put her reality TV past behind her and is concentrating on making it as an actress, having already appeared in films Dangerous Game and The Tombs.

However, the former glamour model’s life hasn’t always been easy – she suffered domestic abuse as a child and was diagnosed with PTSD in 2017.

Thankfully, despite her mental health battles, Jess tells me she is now in a much better place.

“If I look back at the old me I don’t recognise that person,” she says. “I don’t have that worry about myself any more.”

Here, she chats about her life in the spotlight, why she would never have sex on TV and her dreams for the future…

Hi Jess. You look incredible. Is fitness important to you?

Do you know what, Bobby, if I wasn’t doing it I think I would have lost the plot. I always work out every day, not to be skinny, but for my mental health. When I was younger I had a lot of problems, so going for that half hour run just clears my mind. It’s like meditation for me. I looked at my Map My Run app and I’ve run enough miles to get from London to Manchester!

Wow! And you’re writing a book too…