Mark Wright’s forgotten cousin Leah reveals fears of dating again after domestic abuse hell

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For approximately a year now, the courageous TV personality, Leah Wright, has disclosed her experience of being in an abusive relationship, detailing an instance where, amidst a particularly violent altercation, she felt certain she might not survive.

As a committed advocate, I shared my personal journey and the challenges I’ve faced during my collaboration with a compassionate charity dedicated to assisting women like myself who are striving to break free from the vicious cycle of domestic abuse.

After a whole year, I’m proudly carrying on my mission to uplift fellow survivors. Tonight, you can catch me on Channel 4’s First Dates, bravely stepping into the limelight with the cameras rolling, hoping to demonstrate to others that they too can find the courage to venture back out into the world of dating.

Earlier this year, representatives from the well-known Channel 4 dating program contacted a former TOWIE star, a member of the prominent Wright family. Despite feeling anxious before shooting, Leah recognized the opportunity and decided to seize it.

She shared: ‘It’s been four years since I escaped my abuser, and a year ago, I publicly identified myself as a survivor. The recent years have primarily focused on self-healing, building up my strength, and undeniably, it’s intimidating to expose oneself again. There’s always that doubtful voice inside your head questioning, “Will I ever discern people well again?” after the experiences with the person who was supposed to care for me. It leads to endless contemplation.’

46-year-old Leah, a cousin to Mark (age 38) and Jess (age 39), as well as the older sister of Elliott (age 45), took some time to consult with her family before deciding whether or not to participate on the popular Essex reality TV show.

In one of our TOWIE (The Only Way is Essex) times, Jess appeared on the show. She motivated me to join too, urging me to take the plunge. She shared how pleasant her experience was, which made me think, ‘Why not?’ I felt secure knowing there would be people around me, so I decided to take a leap of faith and just go for it.

Earlier this year, Leah taped her segment, and she’s optimistic that her appearance on the program will give others a glimpse of the significant progress she has made.

‘Of course I was nervous,’ she said.

Besides creating a video about my past abuse for charity, I haven’t appeared on camera since departing TOWIE over nine years ago. It was challenging when they asked me what qualities I desired in a man, as one seeks someone considerate. However, it’s tough to predict who will be kind, particularly after experiencing an abusive relationship. Abusers often disguise themselves as kind-hearted individuals, and then there’s the love bombing, which keeps you questioning their intentions. Nevertheless, once I decided to participate, I fully committed to the project. The entire crew behind the scenes was exceptional, allowing me to be authentic and true to myself.

Tonight’s episode features Leah being matched with a single father. Although we won’t disclose their experiences during their date, Leah openly acknowledges that participating in this program significantly boosted her self-confidence.

She mentioned that she wished to make clear to other ladies that it’s not simple to step out of your comfort zone. It can be quite terrifying to rely on another person, and even going on a date requires a significant amount of courage.

Additionally, as you’ve grown accustomed to enjoying solitude with your children at home, the prospect of introducing another person into that space may seem daunting. The question is, are you prepared for such a change? Are you open to it?

After experiencing abuse, do I have the courage to go on a date again and regain my self-confidence? There’s been a lot of self-doubt lately. Thoughts like ‘Am I worthy?’ or ‘Am I worthy enough for someone else?’ and ‘Am I healing properly?’ or ‘Will I unintentionally hurt someone?’ have crossed my mind.

It seems you’re still grappling with some deep-seated traumas. For me, having a TV crew around surprisingly boosted my self-confidence. Strangely enough, I often forget about the cameras; they make me feel incredibly comfortable instead.

In a delightful manner, both Merlin and Fred are closely monitored by our dedicated team. The ambiance around them was exceptionally pleasant. Given my background in the restaurant industry, I was well-aware of the roles assigned to each – Merlin’s and Fred’s.

It’s clear that my brother is currently vacationing with Olivia in Spain, hence I am well-versed with the setup there. The staff were incredibly warm and competent, making it feel less like a production set for a TV show and more like an authentic date experience. You can indeed be natural and at ease, as if you’re on a regular date.

Leah, enjoying a vacation in Spain with her mother, intends to catch the show at her brother’s restaurant alongside friends and family. Her brother Elliott has welcomed a new addition to his family – a baby girl named Dolly, along with his spouse Sadie. Meanwhile, cousin Mark and wife Michelle Keegan, aged 38, became parents to Palma earlier in March.

Leah stated, “My family is incredibly proud of me, noticing my significant progress, particularly in the last year since I opened up about my experiences. Currently, life is going well for me. I feel like I’m on a train that’s steadily moving forward, and I have a very optimistic outlook on everything.

In a conversation, I’m exploring collaborations with other charities. Simultaneously, I continue to receive messages from women on social media platforms. At times, it’s emotionally distressing to learn about the prevalence of individuals still living in abusive relationships, fearful to escape. I consistently encourage them to reach out using the provided helpline number.

Although I don’t have professional training, I can certainly offer them emotional support by lending an ear, sharing my personal experiences, and offering guidance based on what I’ve learned.

Leah will be on tonight’s episode of First Dates, on Channel 4 at 10pm.

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2025-08-28 15:20