Vicky Pattison opens up about ‘trauma’ sustained during reality show stints including Geordie Shore

Vicky Pattison has opened up about her trauma as a result of appearing on reality TV shows, including Geordie Shore.

The former Geordie Shore star, 35, from Newcastle, shot to fame on the MTV series after joining in 2011 aged 23, but announced her departure from the show at the end of 2014.

She admitted that she finds conflict-driven reality TV “rather traumatic” and says it has affected how she watches television in general.

"The conflict-driven reality TV. I’ve made no secret in finding it rather traumatic. I don’t want to make shows like that anymore, and actually, it has affected how I watch TV entirely,” Vicky told The Express.

She added: "I know everyone loves watching Love Island, but I sit there like a coiled spring because I have been there. I don’t just see gorgeous people in bikinis.

"The world can be quite sad and scary and hard, and I don’t want to see more of that when I turn my TV on.I want to escape, I want to see nice people having a nice time, and I feel this is exactly what the pilgrimage is.”

The 35-year-old has previously made an effort to distance herself from Geordie Shore following her departure, saying that she wasn’t herself and claims she drank dangerous amounts while trying to play a character.

When the programme first aired, it was met with criticism, after viewers accused the show of glorifying binge drinking.

Vicky has since appeared on Ex on the Beach and was crowned Queen of the Jungle on the 15th series of I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2015. She was determined to change the public’s perception of her and wanted to show her true self.

She recently signed up for the BBC Two series Pilgrimage, which sees seven celebrities with different faiths and beliefs head on a spiritual journey.

Vicky joins stars including former Boyzone singer Shane Lynch and ex-EastEnders actress Rita Simons as they travel to Fatima in Portugal.