Mikyla Dodd has opened up about her battle with an eating disorder after getting caught in a cycle of binge-eating.
The actress, 47, is best known for starring as Chloe Bruce on the soap Hollyoaks from 2000 to 2004.
But the star struggled with her weight throughout her teens and twenties, weighing 24 stone at her heaviest.
Mikyla is now joining other celebrities including Jess Impiazzi and Paul Cooper by appearing in the film A Day With An Eating Disorder to raise awareness of those who struggle with disordered eating.
She said: ‘I’ve got a very challenging relationship with food. It dominates my thoughts most of my waking hours and somebody in my family close to me, also has struggled with anorexia nervosa.
‘It doesn’t leave people either, it’s a difficult one. Getting people when they’re younger and seeing the difference makes that really improves the trajectory to a normal, healthy life and experience with food.
Mikyla Dodd has opened up about her battle with an eating disorder after getting caught in a cycle of binge-eating (pictured in 2023)
The actress, 47, is best known for starring as Chloe Bruce on the soap Hollyoaks from 2000 to 2004
‘Nobody knows what’s going on behind somebody’s eyes and just appreciating that we’re all having our own struggles in our own way is important.
‘What we need is a little bit more humility and a little bit more positivity towards each other.
‘There’s not just one way to fix someone. One way will work for one person and what’s key is getting the right therapist, the right help and the right network around you. One size doesn’t fit all.’
In 2007, Mikyla released her memoir The Fat Girl From Hollyoaks which detailed her battle with disordered eating and how she eventually lost nine stone.
Former Ex On The Beach star Jess Impiazzi also spoke about her battle with an eating disorder, saying it ‘almost took over’.
Speaking on Instagram Live, about starring in A Day With An Eating Disorder, Jess, who studied performing arts at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts said: ‘I’ve been to theatre school and in that industry with ballerinas and such, there’s a lot of eating disorders around.
‘I’d witnessed a lot of people that had gone through that, but also, I had a very funny relationship with food myself growing up.
‘There were times where it almost took over, so for me, I could sort of see the mindset and where it can trip over.
But the star struggled with her weight throughout her teens and twenties, weighing 24 stone at her heaviest
She said: ‘I’ve got a very challenging relationship with food. It dominates my thoughts most of my waking hours’
Former Ex On The Beach star Jess Impiazzi also spoke about her battle with disordered eating, saying it ‘almost took over’
‘When you’re finding out information, you can help to look after your family members, your children, your sister; anyone that you think there’s a problem starting.
‘So this film is going to help others to know what to do and where to start, and how to find the right help.’
Paul Cooper, who has also starred in The Doom Busters and Meet The Lovegroves, said: ‘This film will help play a vital role in shining a light on a hugely important issue, and I’m very proud to be involved in it.’
A Day With An Eating Disorder, which is being released later this year, aims to shed light and reduce the stigma surrounding the illnesses which include anorexia nervosa, bulimia and compulsive exercising.
The project, being supported by SANE, comes 20 years after Lynn’s daughter Samantha, who also stars, was diagnosed with an eating disorder and OCD.
The film is being directed by Marvin Ambrosius, and also features Samantha’s twin-sister Charlotte.
Also starring in the film will be actresses Susannah Page and Lillie Bailey, the comedian Bobby Davro, Eastenders actor Sid Owen, Married At First Sight winner Benjamin Jardine, the actor Jordan Okai, and radio presenters Nicki Patrick and Neil Long.