Former Emmerdale actress Alicya Eyo found her life spiralled out of control after she exited the popular soap and saw her life take a downward turn that ended in rehab

Former Emmerdale star Alicya Eyo has opened up about her battle with alcoholism after she left the popular soap.

The actress – known for her role as Ruby Haswellon the hit ITV show – had to check into rehab after struggling to cope following her exit when she lost everything. Alicya starred on Emmerdale between 2011 – 2015 but things slowly started to fall apart when she departed the show.

Speaking on the Soap From the Box Podcast, Alicya explained how she turned to alcohol to try and cope with her problems, which only exacerbated the situation. She said: “In 2017 I got to a point in my life, having left Emmerdale, a relationship breakdown, I basically turned to alcohol, which wasn’t great.

Alicya played Ruby Haswell on the soap

“So I ended up losing everything, including myself. That was the main thing. So I went to a rehab called Transforming Choice in Liverpool which is the most amazing place. They helped me figure out why I was doing what I was doing.” Alicya then admitted that seeking help was the best thing she did, despite finding it terrifying initially. She continued: “It was the best and the worst three months of my life, if I’m being honest. I was a bit scared of going to rehab and people knowing who I am.

“I think that’s why I put it off, and I did put it off for quite a long time simply for that reason. That people would recognise me and judge me. But actually the facility I went to there was no judgement whatsoever. It was brilliant. They made me openly talk about it and feel ok about it.” Alicya admitted that when Covid hit the situation became much harder for her as she struggled in lockdown revealing she has “really suffered”.

Alicya’s Emmerdale exit hit her hard

She said: “The first lockdown we had, all fine, all good. Then this lockdown has been really difficult for me. Fortunately I’ve had the support of my mum, my brother and my partner who have got me through it. I’ve really, really suffered, if I’m being honest. You’re just scared of going back to where you were before. That’s essentially what I did.” She added: “I learnt so much about myself in rehab, it was amazing and I spent a good few years sober and then this hit. I just found it so hard. If you have mental health issues initially then lockdown just heightens things.”

Alicya then urged people to talk about their problems and find help before they get too big to cope with. She concluded: “The thing is, people need to speak about it more. Get help, that’s it, get help. I think people are maybe suffering now when they weren’t before, so if you are suffering, please reach out.”