Imogen Thomas has revealed she was saved from a booze battle by showbiz friend Tina Malone.
Former Big Brother contestant Imogen sunk into a downward spiral of daily heavy drinking but was brought back from the brink by Shameless and Celebrity Big Brother chum Tina.
Speaking to the Daily Star, Imogen described Tina as a 'mother figure' after the brunette started downing a bottle of booze a night to cope with the increasing stress from publicity and criticism surrounding her affair with footballer Ryan Giggs.
Imogen said: "Tina's been a mother figure for me.
"She's got strong opinions, which I value, and I feel like she has really helped me land back on my feet."
The pair became pals after taking part in a celebrity edition of Come Dine With Me with Tina speaking very favourably of Imogen, saying: "Lovely girls like Imogen fall for footballers who think they're untouchable because of their humongous wages.
"She made a mistake by seeing a married man, but why do women always get the worst deal?
"The man gets a pat on the back, while the girl ends up being pilloried."
A much happier Imogen is now dating 26-year-old city trader boyfriend Adam Horsley.
In a recent interview with Closer magazine, she said: "Adam's a nice, normal guy from a homely background. He's really sure of himself and treats me like a princess.
"I'll never date a footballer again. I don't understand why their wives take them back after they cheat."
CELEB REVIEW OF THE YEAR: