Former TOWIE star Leah Wright is set to appear on Channel 4's First Dates later this month, but she has opened up about her fear of dating after experiencing domestic abuse. Leah, who is the cousin of reality TV personalities Mark Wright and Elliott Wright, will feature in the ninth episode of the latest series on August 28 at 10pm.
The episode teaser reveals that Leah, who first appeared on TOWIE in 2011, will meet ex-bouncer Adam from Runcorn. However, distance may be a dealbreaker as she seeks old-school romance. Leah has previously spoken candidly about her past abusive relationship, partnering with charity Refuge to share her story.
In a social media post, Leah discussed her journey through domestic abuse, admitting she felt 'so lonely' and was unaware of the support available. She said: 'For many years I went through life not thinking about evidence... not knowing if I can get help from the government.' She described her court battle as 'a long fight' and encouraged others to seek help from organisations like Refuge.
Leah's appearance on First Dates comes after she left TOWIE in 2015 to explore other career paths. The show, which has been a hit since its 2013 debut, pairs singles based on personalities and preferences in the hope of sparking romance. Fred Sirieix returns as maître d' for the new series.
