Steps star Claire Richards had 'overwhelming anxiety' on The Masked Singer

6 October 2023

Claire Richards had "overwhelming anxiety" during her time on 'The Masked Singer'.

Claire Richards struggled with perimenopause during her time on The Masked Singer

The 46-year-old pop star - who is best known as a member of Steps alongside Faye Tozer, Lee Latchford-Evans, Lisa Scott-Lee and Ian 'H' Watkins - took part in the 2023 series of the ITV competition as Knitting but explained that she experienced symptoms of the perimenopause whilst on the show.

She told Woman's Own: "It started last summer but the symptoms started slowly so I didn't notice it at first. Then when I did 'The Masked Singer' I started to get this overwhelming anxiety that was so bad I found it hard to breathe. I thought it was nerves but it started ramping up and I was having palpitations and nothing seemed to help calm me down.

The 'One For Sorrow' singer went on to add that she was constantly tired during her time on the show but eventually found light at the end of the tunnel when she read the book 'Menopausing' by 'Masked Singer' judge Davina McCall.

She added: "I was tired all the time, I didn't want to go out or see anyone and I started to feel angry for no reason, which isn't like me at all. I read Davina McCall's menopause book and that was a game changer for me."

The former 'Celebrity Big Brother' stars recently admitted that she felt "quite lucky" to be going through the health change at a time when it is being spoken about by her fellow famous faces.

She told The Mirror: "I feel quite lucky that I’m going through it at a time where it’s being spoken about by other female celebrities who’ve really brought it to the forefront. It’s amazing how little anybody really knows about it."