Alesha Dixon says her violent childhood has made her a better mother.
The 42-year-old TV star has Azura, seven, and Anaya, 20 months, with her husband Azuka Ononye, says the violence has shaped who she is.
She told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: "I have had things happen that have knocked me to my core and had to spend many years working through it.
“Growing up, I didn’t really see healthy relationships and good communication skills.
“I saw people coming and going, and violence, so it took a long time to know how to have good relationships. It sounds like a sob story, but it really has shaped who I am.
“I want make sure my children are never exposed to things that I saw.
“I want them to grow up feeling very secure, because I grew up feeling very insecure.
“It’s tricky as there is this misconception I had a bad childhood. That’s not the case.
“I had a lot of love around me but I did see things I shouldn’t have seen as a girl.”
Meanwhile, Alesha recently admitted she has no plans to have any more children.
After describing breastfeeding as "one of the greatest joys" of her life, Alesha added: "It's just been the most beautiful experience. I love it so much that I managed to do a year with Azura.
"But I only managed four months with Anaya. And so I really, really miss it."
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