Dancing on Ice's Chelsee Healey suffered devastating miscarriage during ITV competition

DOI: Chelsee Healey is first to be eliminated from show

Chelsee Healey, the actor known for her roles in Waterloo Road and Hollyoaks, has bravely opened up about suffering a miscarriage around the time she joined Dancing on Ice.

The 36-year-old star, who recently made her debut on the ITV show alongside professional skater Andy Buchanan, was the first to be eliminated.

At the time of her exit, Chelsee hinted at personal struggles, saying: "Personally there's been a lot going on with me that I've been struggling with so I couldn't completely focus. I'm just really grateful. I had the best time."

Now, the actress has taken to Instagram to share her heartache with her followers, revealing the immense grief she felt while competing. Despite the pain, she expressed feeling "blessed" to have her daughters Coco, seven, and Cookie, one.

In a heartfelt post accompanied by a picture with her children, she wrote on Thursday: "TRIGGER WARNING. Sorry in advance if this is triggering for anyone but I hope it brings comfort for those that need it.

Chelsee Healey was the first to be eliminated from Dancing on Ice (Image: ITV)

"I want to start by saying thank you to everyone of you for your support during DOI and especially my family, To ITV and my skate partner Andy."

Chelsee shared: "I haven't been able to talk about this until now, because it's been too painful. I hope by sharing it now it can help other women going through something similar. Been so anxious to post. Whilst committed to DOI and the busy training schedule, to our shock we discovered that I was pregnant.

"Within weeks of finding out this news, before me and my family could allow this news to sink in and digest it, I suffered a miscarriage," reports the Mirror.

"Understandably this really did devastate me and hit me deeply, finding out this news and then having it taken in such a short proof of time is an awful lot to deal with. I know I am beyond blessed to have two beautiful daughters but the grief still feels enormous.

"I am grieving for the little soul I carried momentarily who I'll never get to meet, the sibling that my girls will never get to have. The child that will forever leave my heart curious with the 'what ifs'. And it is painful."

The soap star concluded her heartfelt message with: "For any woman going through something similar. I am truly sorry for your loss and I hope you are allowed to express and feel your emotions. I hope you find your way through this.

"Our heavenly children deserve a place in our hearts. A gentle reminder that we never know what someone else is going through or how their pain maybe hurting them. To all of you, I am sending my love."

The emotional post has received a wave of condolences and support from her fans as well as her famous pals, including Helen Flanagan, who penned: "So sorry, Chelsee. Sending you so much love."

Gemma Atkinson commented: "No shame at all. Sending lots of love to you all," as TV star Ferne McCann echoed: "You’re a formidable force. And it was a pleasure working alongside you when you was going through all of this darling. Your girlies are lucky to have such a strong mamma."