Frankie Bridge has praised Zayn Malik for speaking out about his battle with anxiety.
The former One Direction star pulled out of a performance at Capital FM’s Summertime Ball in London earlier this month after suffering an anxiety attack, and The Saturdays singer admitted it was courageous decision to go public with his health condition.
She said: "I think it’s brave of him to speak out. It’s always better, to be honest, otherwise there would’ve been a massive question mark about why he didn’t perform."
Frankie, 27 – who has sons Parker, two, and 10-month-old Carter – has battled depression and thinks it is important to see other big stars discussing anxiety to raise awareness of the issue.
The 27-year-old singer added to OK!: "I’ve had loads of ‘freak out’ moments before going on stage and I have spoken about suffering with anxiety before. It’s great that more people are talking about it, because it makes a difference."
Frankie has been open about her battle with depression on numerous occasions, once saying she felt as though "it wouldn’t matter to anyone" if she disappeared.
She also described herself as "worthless", "isolated" and "ugly", and said she will have the condition "forever".
Frankie’s anxiety started during her childhood but peaked in 2011.
She said: "I felt anxious all the time and I was having panic attacks; I knew there was something wrong."
In a magazine interview following his Summertime Ball pull-out, Zayn confessed his party boy lifestyle and numerous late nights had been taking their toll on his health.
Zayn – who is dating supermodel Gigi Hadid – told Paper magazine: "I’ve not been feeling too well recently because I’ve been partying too much and not looking after myself and eating enough food. I’m just trying to take care of myself."
Frankie Bridge praises Zayn Malik for opening up on anxiety battle
