Former Hollyoaks actress Mikyla Dodd has bravely shared her struggles with an eating disorder, revealing how she became trapped in a cycle of binge-eating.
The 47-year-old, best known for her role as Chloe Bruce on the popular soap between 2000 and 2004, has long been open about her weight battles.
Now, she is using her experience to raise awareness by taking part in a new film, A Day With An Eating Disorder, alongside other celebrities.
Mikyla’s Lifelong Struggles with Food
Throughout her teens and twenties, Mikyla faced challenges with her weight, reaching 24 stone at her heaviest.
Her relationship with food has remained a constant struggle, something she describes as dominating her thoughts for most of the day.
“I’ve got a very challenging relationship with food,” she admitted. “It dominates my thoughts most of my waking hours, and someone in my family has also battled anorexia nervosa.”
Mikyla recognizes that eating disorders are not just physical conditions but deeply rooted psychological struggles. She believes early intervention plays a key role in helping people build a healthier relationship with food.
“Getting people the right support when they’re younger can significantly improve their chances of leading a normal, healthy life,” she explained. “Eating disorders don’t just disappear. They can stay with a person for life.”
Raising Awareness Through Film
To help shine a light on these struggles, Mikyla has joined the cast of A Day With An Eating Disorder, a project that aims to bring attention to the realities of living with disordered eating. She will be appearing in the film alongside other well-known faces, including reality star Jess Impiazzi and actor Paul Cooper.
The film, directed by Marvin Ambrosius, seeks to challenge misconceptions surrounding eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive overeating. Supported by the mental health charity SANE, the film hopes to break down stigma and provide insight into how these conditions impact people’s lives.
Jess Impiazzi’s Experience with Disordered Eating
Reality star and actress Jess Impiazzi has also opened up about her own struggles with an eating disorder. Having trained at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, Jess witnessed firsthand the pressures surrounding body image in the performing arts industry.
“I’ve been in environments with ballerinas and other performers where eating disorders were common,” she revealed. “I also had a difficult relationship with food myself growing up. There were times when it almost took over.”
Jess hopes the film will serve as an educational tool, helping people recognize the early signs of eating disorders in loved ones.
“When you’re informed, you can help family members, children, or friends who might be at risk,” she said. “This film is about offering guidance on where to start and how to find the right support.”
Paul Cooper Joins the Cause
Actor Paul Cooper, known for his work in The Doom Busters and Meet The Lovegroves, is also involved in the project. Expressing his pride in being part of the film, he emphasized the importance of raising awareness about eating disorders.
“This film will play a vital role in shining a light on an issue that affects so many people,” he said. “I’m honored to be involved in such an important project.”
A Film with a Personal Connection
The inspiration for A Day With An Eating Disorder comes from a deeply personal place. The film features actress Samantha, who was diagnosed with an eating disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) two decades ago. Her twin sister Charlotte will also appear in the film, making it a project rooted in real-life experiences.
The cast includes several other familiar faces, such as comedians, radio hosts, and soap stars. Among them are EastEnders actor Sid Owen, comedian Bobby Davro, Married At First Sight winner Benjamin Jardine, and actresses Susannah Page and Lillie Bailey. Radio presenters Nicki Patrick and Neil Long will also contribute to the film’s powerful message.
Mikyla’s Journey to Recovery
Mikyla has previously shared details of her weight loss journey in her 2007 memoir, The Fat Girl from Hollyoaks, where she revealed how she managed to lose nine stone. While she has made significant progress in managing her eating disorder, she acknowledges that the battle with food and body image is ongoing.
“Nobody truly knows what someone is going through just by looking at them,” she said. “We all have our struggles, and it’s important to show kindness to one another.”
She also stresses the need for personalized treatment when it comes to recovery.
“There isn’t just one way to help someone. What works for one person might not work for another,” she explained. “It’s about finding the right therapist, the right support system, and the right approach for each individual.”
Breaking the Stigma
By sharing her story and taking part in A Day With An Eating Disorder, Mikyla hopes to inspire conversations about disordered eating and encourage people to seek help. The film is expected to be released later this year, sparking important discussions about mental health, self-image, and recovery.
With a cast of well-known personalities using their platform to shed light on this difficult topic, A Day With An Eating Disorder promises to be a powerful and eye-opening project.
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