Ulrika Jonsson celebrates huge life change with striking before-and-after snaps

Daily Mirror

2 days ago

Ulrika Jonsson has celebrated one year sober and has showcased the results to her online followers after shedding 'crippling shame' surrounding drinking
Ulrika Jonsson has celebrated a major achievement in her life. The former Gladiators host has revealed she's one year sober and has celebrated her achievements while explaining that her sobriety is her main priority.
The star, 57, has previously spoken about her issues with drinking and how she would "black out and not recall the night". But she also admitted that booze offered her a form of escapism as it squashed her anxiety. "I drank to kill my feelings of anxiety and my fears of everything," she previously admitted.
‌
But now she's been completely booze-free for a year, and she isn't looking back and is instead focused on remaining sober. Taking to her Instagram page, she shared a before-and-after snap of her journey and how different she looks nowadays.
‌
Her first image, which she marked as "Sober", saw a glowing Ulrika pose for a selfie in the kitchen of her home as she went make-up free while rocking a pair of oversized glasses. Meanwhile, her second image saw a "drunk" Ulrika, posing for a wild selfie in her bathroom after a night on the tiles.
Captioning her post, Ulrika wrote: "Today I'm marking 1yr of sobriety. No fanfare, no medal, no trophy. The journey goes on. A huge thanks to all those beautiful people who have supported me; understood me; scooped me up and handled me tenderly and without judgement; who nudged me in the right direction; who made me laugh and helped me shed the crippling shame.
"Thank you to my kids for their support; for having faith in me after I must have worried them so. For close friends for their patience and belief. My sobriety will continue to be my priority. Turns out it IS possible to teach old dogs new tricks." Her post, which has been liked over 7,000 times, was flooded with praise.
Former singer turned telly star Kerry Katona penned: "So bloody proud of you my darling. Miss and love you all the world." "So happy for you darling," added Michelle Heaton.
‌
Meanwhile, one fan added: "Well done on the first of many anniversaries of sobriety @ulrikajonssonofficial. You have chosen to be and do better and that is a huge transition and not without its challenges so, all props to you and long may it continue for you to reap the rewards."
A second went on to write: "Thank you, Ulrika, I'm trying to follow in your footsteps, and posts like this are really affirming. Congratulations on 1 year." "Congratulations! I'm at 5 years and 5 months and it's still the best thing I ever did," gushed another.
Ulrika's decision to get sober came after a rather startling conversation with a friend. She confessed: "One Saturday morning my best friend, who I love and cherish, called me and basically told me we had spoken the night before and she hadn't understood a word I had said.
"She told me I needed help. I knew it came from a place of love. The sense of shame would have been enough to make me want a drink. But not on that occasion. Instead, I sobbed like a child who desperately needed someone to hold her. I was full of despair."