Coronation Street actress Beverley Callard has opened up about her battle with depression, confessing that she contemplated taking her own life.
Speaking on Tuesday's This Morning, the 59-year-old discussed her struggle with her mental illness which forced her to take some time away from the ITV soap earlier this year.
The soap star, who is famed for playing Rovers Return landlady Liz McDonald, revealed she was left in a bad way after the medication she had been taking for over a decade was discontinued.
CLICK TO VIEW GALLERY
© Photo: RexCoronation Street actress Beverley Callard has opened up about her battle with depression
"A couple of weeks later, I was still without it (medication), and I thought, 'I'm fine actually'. Nine weeks later, I completely crashed," she explained.
"I had to be written out of work. After six weeks, I was beginning to lose confidence and getting very shaky. It became more difficult to make effort to go out in public."
Beverley, who was joined on the sofa by her husband John, went on to explain how she "felt worthless" and "lacked confidence".
© Photo: RexThe 59-year-old was joined on the sofa by her husband John during her appearance on Tuesday's This Morning
"Once you start going on that slippery slope it's really difficult for you to talk about it," she added. "You feel as though everything you've got to say is worthless anyway and you do sink into this black hole.
"All I could think was I'm here again and you think you were getting better. I was completely suicidal and couldn't leave the house. I couldn't leave the bedroom take calls or do anything."
She previously revealed that the depression was brought on by stresses in her personal life, especially after the death of close friend Anne Kirkbride - who played Deirdre Barlow - the previous year.
© Photo: RexThe soap star is famed for playing Rovers Return landlady Liz McDonald on Coronation Street
Despite the everyday struggle, Beverley has said she is now "much more even and relaxed" as she credited her medical help.
"There is hope for anyone suffering from it as long as you get the right medication and counselling or whatever."
Beverley, who was diagnosed with clinical depression in 2006, took a six-week break from Coronation Street to recover.
