TV star Ulrika Jonsson has revealed her decision to be alone on Christmas Day this year as she bravely opened up on her struggles with alcohol before going sober
Ulrika Jonsson has revealed she will be celebrating Christmas by herself this year.
The Swedish-British presenting icon, 57, admitted 2024 has been “a year of massive change”. She decided to open up on her struggles with alcohol as she shared she would at times drink until she blacked out. Ulrika admitted she used to drink in order to deal with feelings of anxiety, and her friends became concerned when she was unable to hold conversations with them.
The TV star has quit alcohol and has been sober for over six months. In a devastating confession, Ulrika admitted she wasn’t sure if she would even be able to make it to Christmas. She “discovered that alcohol was not the solution” and needed to change herself if she wanted to keep going.
“So, it felt apt that I should spend Christmas Day on my own,” she told the Sun. “Not to wallow in some kind of perverse, self-indulgent pity-party but just because it will be nice to have a break from people-ing and life-ing.” Ulrika insisted: “No, I haven’t been deserted or rejected by family or friends and by no stretch of the imagination am I a tragic, forlorn character.”
She made it clear she isn’t “shunning the family” or wanting pity or sympathy. Ulrika simply said her decision to be alone for Christmas Day “just feels right” and “perhaps needed”. The mum-of-four revealed her day will consist of “some fresh air — if the heavens allow — filthy food, lighting fragrant candles, some streaming, which most definitely will include Gavin & Stacey, and then I intend on just being.”
Ulrika will see three of her children on Christmas Eve, while her other child works abroad. She insisted she’ll be “alone but I won’t be lonely”. The TV host – who grew to prominence as a weather host in the late 1980s – previously said she had to reach a point where she wanted to find help herself as one concerned friend had already tried to tell her she had a drink problem.
She posted a photo of herself drunk to highlight the dangers of alcohol and how it can change one’s personality and character. Ulrika penned: “Today I am 6 months sober. On the 5th June 2024, I had the gift of desperation and reached out for help. I no longer recognised myself and I surrendered.
“Many people have asked me how I’ve done it and all I can say is that no woman is an island – I have not done this alone. The willingness to give up alcohol came from me, yes, but without support of friends, family and my new tribe, I would not have made it this far. This is a journey and not a destination. It’s never over. It’s a process in progress. But once you resolve to make changes, beautiful things happen.
“It’s been hard and I’m sure it will continue to be but I am learning serenity and have gained an inner peace I’ve never, ever had. The turmoil inside me is dissipating and I’m learning to accept the things I cannot change and I’m finding the courage to change the things I can.” Ulrika went on to reveal that the second photo in the post was of her during a ‘drunk moment’. Looking back on it, she says she now feels ‘ashamed’.
If you are struggling with alcohol abuse or addiction, advice and support can be found at alcoholchange.org.uk
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