‘I felt empty and numb’: Dancing On Ice’s Libby Clegg breaks down as she discusses her mental heath battle after the Rio Paralympics… before beating Ben Hamlin in the tense skate-off
Dancing On Ice star Libby Clegg broke down in tears during Sunday’s show as she recalled her mental health battle in the wake of the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
Scottish Paralympic sprinter, 29, became distressed in her VT as she discussed feeling ’empty and numb’ in the aftermath of the games, in which she bagged two gold medals in the T11 100m and T11 200m.
Libby’s emotional display came ahead of her tense skate-off with Ben Hamlin, in which she survived and the magician was sent home.
Emotional: Dancing On Ice star Libby Clegg broke down in tears during Sunday’s show as she recalled her mental health battle in the wake of the 2016 Rio Paralympics
Libby suffers with Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy disease, which is a deteriorating eye condition that’s left her with only slight peripheral vision in her left eye.
Ahead of her second skate on the ITV show alongside her professional skating partner Mark Hanretty, the athlete appeared in the clip as she told of her struggle to cope after the games, describing how she was left ‘without a purpose anymore.’
She continued: ‘Everybody else was like “you should be happy, you’ve achieved everything you wanted to achieve”
Survivor: Libby’s emotional display came ahead of her tense skate-off with Ben Hamlin, in which she survived and the magician was sent home
‘The feeling of happiness only lasted for three weeks. I just felt empty and numb, I didn’t have a purpose.’
After she fought through the tears, she added: ‘I then felt guilty that I felt that way. I’ve faced different challenges and barriers in my life and I never thought I’d have mental health issues. It just goes to show it can happy to anybody.’
She also told that having her little boy ‘put a whole new perspective to my life’, before stating her upcoming skate would be ‘the most meaningful dance I’ve ever done.’
Libby’s tears and subsequent skate to the song 500 Miles left viewers emotional, with many commenting they were moved to tears.
Tears: Scottish Paralympic sprinter, 29, became distressed in her VT as she discussed feeling ’empty and numb’ in the aftermath of the games, in which she bagged two gold medals in the T11 100m and T11 200m
Tough: Ahead of her second skate, the athlete appeared in the clip as she told of her struggle to cope after the games, describing how she was left ‘without a purpose anymore’
Heartfelt: ‘The feeling of happiness only lasted for three weeks. I just felt empty and numb, I didn’t have a purpose’
‘Am I the only one watching tonight’s show and struggling to hold back the tears. The courage of Libby and the brilliance of Perry. Simply incredible show’ tweeted one fan.
While another sobbed: ‘Watching Libby brings tears to my eyes.’
‘Can Libby just stop making me cry tonight!! I’m blaming my hangover’ commented a third emotional watcher.
Moved: Libby’s tears and subsequent skate to the song 500 Miles left viewers emotional, with many commenting they were moved to tears
With another adding: ‘Libby’s VT has made me cry & she’s not even danced yet.’
Libby went on to compete in the dance-off against Ben, surprising viewers with a headbanger despite her lack of visibility.
And it proved to be a successful dance as Ben was eliminated, while Libby has secured a place in next week’s final alongside Joe Swash and Perri Kiely.
The Dancing On Ice final airs Sunday at 6pm on ITV.
Look at her go! Libby went on to compete in the dance-off against Ben, surprising viewers with a headbanger despite her lack of visibility
Time to go: And it proved to be a successful dance as Ben was eliminated, while Libby has secured a place in next week’s final alongside Joe Swash and Perri Kiely