'My burns, my scarring, is part of who I am. I try to be at peace with it'

Katie Piper tells OK! about coming to terms with her past, her incredible charity work and blossoming TV career, and how she’s found happiness as a wife and mother of two children

- TONY COWELL

Katie Piper inspired millions when she turned tragedy into triumph, surviving a horrifying acid attack by an ex-boyfriend in 2008 and going on to achieve the career of her dreams - fronting television programmes and helping other survivors - against all the odds.

In 2009, inspired by a Channel 4 documentary that focused on Katie's ordeal, Britain's Got Talent boss Simon Cowell approached her and helped her set up the Katie Piper Foundation - a charity that helps burn survivors.

In 2022, Katie received the OBE from the Princess Royal for her services to charity and victims of burns.

Katie, 40, has found familial bliss since those awful events 16 years ago. She married carpenter Richard Sutton in 2015 and they share two daughters, Belle, 10, and six-year-old Penelope. The philanthropist and presenter says that it is when she is with her beloved family that she doesn't "feel scarred".

Her latest project is ITV's Katie Piper's Breakfast Show, in which she chats with six celebrity guests each week.

Here, she tells OK! about overcoming adversity and staying tough despite still facing triggers from the brutal attack...

Hi, Katie. The new series of your ITV breakfast show is a big success. You're now being called the "Queen of the Weekend"!

Well, that's a pedestal I might fall off. It's really fun and I'm grateful to ITV in trusting me and I don't take it for granted. I get to meet other people and have a laugh. It's not about my past and I get to show another side of me.

You have a very strong work ethic. Is it true that you get up at 4am every morning?

Not every day, but I do like to exercise every morning before my family gets up. Today I got up at 5.15am, had coffee and went for a run with my neighbour. I love fitness and a bit of me time.