From the romance’s fairy-tale beginning to its crushing end, Humphries is unflinching in her portrayal of her ex’s insidious emotional abuse as well as her own behaviour: “Screaming when the windows were wide open, storming off in shopping centres, crying at parties.” Now she has written an extraordinary memoir, Why Did You Stay?. Described as “dazzling” by Marian Keyes and “fierce”, “gamechanging” and “brilliant” by Emma Thompson, the book is neither a kiss’n’tell, nor a revenge tragedy. Alternating between episodes from her relationship with Walsh and the aftermath of the Strictly debacle, it becomes a chilling study of insidious control and male-female power games. Unflinching and often very funny, it’s also a diary of self-discovery, an account of finding one’s self-worth, a celebration of resilience and a hymn to the value of friendship. Also, no matter what’s being told to you, know that this situation is not your fault. You’re worthy of being in a loving, safe, and healthy relationship. A funny, brave and honest book that will change lives. I have not stopped talking about it' THE TIMES Empowering, unflinching and full of humour, this book takes that question and owns it. Using her relationship history, coming of age stories and experiences since the scandal during Strictly, Rebecca explores why good girls are drawn to darkness, whether pop culture glamourises toxicity, when a relationship 'rough patch' becomes the start of a destructive cycle, if women are conditioned for co-dependency, and - ultimately - how to reframe disaster into something magical.

After a particularly tough period of time, you may even feel like you’re finally getting some of your needs met for love and emotional support. Humphries with Harry Trevaldwyn in Ten Percent, the British remake of Call My Agent! Photograph: Rob Youngson What makes you happy when you’re not writing or acting? You write that you like “dancing around to gay pop”… This book isn't an ice-cold revenge opus; it's a diary of self-discovery, a celebration of friendship, resilience and finding one's self-worth...is it worth the hype? Absolutely: I had to stop myself from reading it one grateful gulp— Style Stagnation. Moving jobs means dealing with new challenges and pushing yourself to adapt to a number of new responsibilities. If your career trajectory (on paper) appears to have plateaued in your current position, it can raise questions about your drive and motivation.So thoughtful and moving and funny and sad and great, I love it so, so much. I resented having to put it down Yes, a novel next. I also have a TV show in development about the world of drag, co-written with a good friend of mine who’s a drag queen. Fierce. Game-changing. Urgently necessary. Brilliant, brilliant and did I say brilliant?’ EMMA THOMPSON When I love a book, I want to talk to the person and this was fantastic...I know women are going to recognise themselves in here, or their best friend, or their mother, their sister

Sexual violence or assault can come in many forms. But no matter what type or whether it happened decades ago, or just yesterday, there are ways to… READ MOREIt’s important to have clear examples of how your role has evolved over time, and how you have managed an increasing level of responsibility over the years. Highlight how you have been promoted, invited to complete secondments or switched departments or locations. Report increases in the size of your team, and new projects you are / were involved in. It’s important to show how your career trajectory has continued to move upwards. 2. You’ve added value When the actress Rebecca Humphries’ boyfriend, the comic Seann Walsh, was photographed kissing his Strictly Come Dancing partner in 2018, their five-year relationship was suddenly blinded by paparazzi camera flashes. Inflexibility. Moving jobs requires you to adapt to new environments and alter your approach to things, as well as build relationships with new people. Being with the one company implies a certain level of comfortability, and potential inflexibility. It’s the question that those of us who’ve had difficult relationships get asked more than anything else. It’s victim-shaming, but it’s also the question that stays with us and has the potential to eat us up. So I’m reclaiming it.

Forced into victimhood by the story, Rebecca chose to reclaim her power, posting her thoughts on social media, including advice for other women who might be experiencing what she realised she’d managed to escape: a toxic, oppressive relationship. A flood of support poured in, but amongst the well-wishes was a simple question with an infinitely complex answer: ‘If he was so bad, why did you stay?’ High tensions and high conflict are possible with any couple. But you might be curious if the shouting matches are veering into verbal abuse? READ MORE Empowering, unflinching and full of humour, this book takes that question and owns it. Using her relationship history and experiences since the scandal during Strictly, Rebecca explores why good girls are drawn to darkness, whether pop culture glamourises toxicity, when a relationship 'rough patch' becomes the start of a destructive cycle, if women are conditioned for co-dependency, and - ultimately - how to reframe disaster into something magical. You walk into the room, see the sexiest woman alive and think: “How am I going to hold my own against that?” Gillian is an utter powerhouse, but being intimidated lent itself to the dynamic between Thatcher and Carol. Trauma bonding is reinforced during step 3, the honeymoon phase. Your partner may insist that they’re going to change, or make promises to get help.So funny and heart-breaking. So stunningly written. For any woman who has been asked 'why did you stay?', Rebecca Humphries' book is a hilarious and brilliant read

Everyone’s situation is unique. If you, or someone you know, is living in an abusive situation, there may be several reasons why you (or they) stay. Emotional reasonsWhen you are one of a hundred applicants with similar skill sets, factors like the length of time you’ve spent in your job becomes important. In the same way that serial job-hoppers will have to explain why they move between jobs frequently, those who’ve stayed in one job for many years will also have some explaining to do. Is the old norm the new negative? In the United States, 15% of women and 4% of men have experienced intimate partner abuse, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. A funny, brave and honest book that will change lives. I have not stopped talking about it— The Times