S Club 7’s Jo O’Meara ‘punished’ and fell into ‘dark place’ after CBB race row

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S Club 7 star Jo O'Meara has admitted that she fell into a "very dark place" following her ill-fated appearance on Celebrity Big Brother in 2007.

It has been fourteen years since the singer was accused of racism and bullying towards Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty alongside Danielle Lloyd and the late Jade Goody.

And Jo, now 42, has reflected on her life after the show, insisting that she was "severely punished" as she lost her home and work opportunities.

Speaking to Daily Star, the Bring It All Back hitmaker said: "There's no excuse for what happened. All I could do was learn, grow up and accept what I did was wrong. I've changed so much as a person and want to start again."


Jo continued: "The whole time for everybody involved was horrendous afterwards. I can never apologise enough. People may not have seen it first-hand, but behind the scenes, I was severely punished.

"I went to a very dark place and was very unwell mentally for a very long time."

Speaking last month to The Sun, Jo revealed just how much she lost after her controversial appearance on the reality series.

"I think a lot of people wanted me to be punished for what happened, and I was. I lost my career," she said.

"I lost my home. I lost everything, and I'm still trying to rebuild today. That's why I feel so blessed to be back doing what I love.

"I had a complete breakdown, and it wasn't a nice time for everybody involved. If I could go back in time and change what happened then, I would, but I can't. All I can do is hold my hands up and apologise."

Shortly after taking part in Big Brother, Jo fell pregnant with her son Lenny, who is now 13.

Following her success with S Club 7, Jo attempted to launch her solo career and released her solo album in 2005.

Now, 16 years on, Jo is releasing a new solo album titled With Love.

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