X Factor’s Janet Devlin says eating disorder and alcohol ‘nearly killed me before 20’

Former X Factor finalist Janet Devlin has revealed her eating and alcohol troubles left her feeling that she would not live past 20.

The Northern Irish singer-songwriter finished fifth on the 2011 series of the ITV talent show – the same year Little Mix sprang to prominence.

But while she won praise for her performances on the show, she was struggling with private health battles – which she has opened up about in the Sun.

She said that she felt a wave of emotion when turning 30.

She said: “I absolutely bawled my eyes out on my birthday because, you know, there was a period in my life where I couldn’t see [living] past 20.

Devlin has recently released her fourth album Emotional Rodeo and thinks her best music yet is down to her developing maturity as an artist and a person.

She has come a long way since the X Factor, but has now shared that her struggles began well before her time on the show.

In an interview with OK magazine, she added: “I’d love to say the show heightened my issues; that would be an easier narrative!

“But I had a wealth of mental health issues before. I already had an eating disorder, self-harmed and had quite a bad relationship with alcohol because of the relationship I was in at the time.

“So, the show was what I needed; I needed something to get me out of bed and to work towards.”

Another breakthrough was to receive a diagnosis for borderline personality disorder, a condition which impacts a person’s ability to manage their emotions.

“Oh my gosh, the freedom I felt when I got that diagnosis,” she added.

“It was really helpful. I knew I was not a bad person. I have this condition that is notoriously hard to deal with, and I’m dealing with it the best way I can.

“Then I was able to go and get the help necessary because I’d been fishing in the dark before.”