‘HE ATTACKED ME WITH A BAT AND KNOCKED ME UNCONSCIOUS'

BACKING OUR CAMPAIGN SHERRIE HEWSON REVEALS HER OWN NIGHTMARE BUT SAYS SHE WAS ‘ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES’

- OLIVIA BUXTON

After being trapped in a violent marriage in her twenties, former Loose Women and Benidorm star Sherrie Hewson has joined OK!’s Closet Clear Out campaign for its final week.

“It’s an amazing campaign to raise awareness about domestic violence,” the 69-year-old says of our partnership with charity Refuge. “OK! is really shining a light on this terrible time and giving much-needed help and hope for everyone out there who is trapped in an abusive relationship. We must all do what we can to help women and men out of their frightening situations.”

The former Coronation Street star, who shot to fame in the 90s playing ditzy Maureen Webster in the ITV soap, became involved in a toxic relationship with her tormentor, husband John Rowlands, when she was just 21 years old.

“The abuse went on over a five-year period,” Sherrie recalls. “I was told off for wearing clothing that was too suggestive. I remember, one summer, I was wearing this flimsy top and you could see my bra straps through it. I will never forget how John went insane with rage because he thought I was flaunting myself to other men.”