Jamie Vardy's wife Rebekah tells how childhood sex abuse led to suicide bids

The wife of England and Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has revealed she tried to kill herself after suffering years of sexual abuse as a teenager.

Rebekah Vardy told how she "became a scared mixed-up kid" who "didn't want to live any more" after suffering three years of near-weekly attacks from the age of 13.

The 34-year-old told The Sun on Sunday that at the age of 15 she tried to kill herself because she "wanted to escape".

The assaults led to Mrs Vardy feeling isolated from those around her and began skipping school. She also told how she showed promise as a runner, but her talents went unrealised.

Several years later Mrs Vardy tried to kill herself again in what she described as a "cry for help".

After suffering severe post-natal depression following the birth of her second child, Mrs Vardy sought help from a therapist, and it is this help which she credits with turning her life around.

The mother-of-three said she has only recently revealed the experiences to her footballer husband.

Mrs Vardy said she has begun work to help young victims of abuse and plans to do more in the future.