Former Loose Women panellist Saira Khan made her debut on endurance show Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins last week. However, the star has also admitted she was one of the “strongest mentally” going in due to her difficult childhood.
The television presenter has opened up about having a “very violent dad” growing up.
She explained: “I think I was probably one of the strongest mentally.
“I was going in there with a real-life experience.
“I have been through a lot of trauma growing up.”
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In a piece for the Mirror back in 2018, the presenter shared how her father was violent towards her.
She described growing up in a house where “discipline ruled” in the candid piece.
Saira said: “With the help of some recent therapy, I was able to revisit some of those traumatic times and recall how I felt as a nine-year-old.
“But it was painful and hard to go back to a time in your life where you felt helpless, frightened, confused, distraught and so angry at what was going on.
“And why the person I loved so much wanted to hurt my feelings.
“I feel ashamed writing about my dad’s anger, because I feel I am betraying him, letting him down.
“But part of my healing process has been to admit that while I loved my dad, what he did was wrong and there are no excuses for violence towards children, either physical or mental.”
Elsewhere, Saira has opened up more about her experience on Celebrity SAS.
The presenter revealed how it was her children who convinced her to sign up for the show.
Speaking to Channel 4, she said: “I signed up to this show because I was one of those audience members that watches from the comfort of our sofas and goes, ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe they couldn’t do that!’.
“And then my kids will go, ‘Well, why don’t you try and have a go mummy? Do you think you can do it?’
“And I thought, ‘Yeah, if it comes along, I’ll do it.’ And guess what? It came along.”
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins continues on Sundays at 9pm on Channel 4.
If you or someone you know has been affected by this story, Refuge is available on its 24-hour domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247. You can also visit the website here.
