“I WAS SO ASHAMED.” Emmerdale star Jaye Griffiths breaks down live on Loose Women, bravely recounting years of domestic abuse and her fight to rebuild her life.
Emmerdale actress Jaye Griffiths has been praised for her courage after breaking down in tears on Loose Women while sharing her harrowing experience of domestic abuse.
The 62-year-old star, who plays the villainous Celia Daniels on the ITV soap, appeared on the daytime panel show on Thursday, visibly emotional as she described the years of fear, manipulation, and control she endured at the hands of a former partner.
“Even Choosing Between Tea or Coffee Felt Dangerous”
Shaking as she spoke, Jaye revealed how the long-term abuse left her terrified of even the smallest decisions:
“When I am choosing between having tea or coffee, that is fine now because there will be no consequences. If I choose tea, the world won’t collapse.”
She went on to explain that years of trying to “keep the peace” had conditioned her to anticipate violence over even the most trivial things.
“I never knew what would set it off and what not to do. If you made the tea the wrong way, that could have consequences. If you put the milk back in the wrong place…”
Pausing through tears, she added,
“And then you get your own fridge and it doesn’t matter where you put the milk. My boundaries are now so concrete.”
Loose Women hosts Kaye Adams and Frankie Bridge comforted the actress as she opened up about reclaiming control over her life through small, everyday victories.
“All I Did Was Lie – I Was So Ashamed”
Jaye had previously shared on Kaye Adams’ How to Be 60 podcast that she spent five years trapped in an abusive relationship, feeling unable to tell anyone the truth.
“I couldn’t tell anybody because I was so ashamed,” she admitted. “You would now use the term gaslight – but I couldn’t make a decision, I didn’t know if what I thought was real was real, because he would constantly tell me I was wrong.”
The actress revealed that her abuser would reward violence with gifts — a cycle of confusion and guilt that kept her silent.
“The day after he hit me, I would get jewellery,” she said. “If I put the heating on, there could be consequences — ‘you’re wasting my money.’ If I didn’t, and the house was cold, there’d be consequences to that too.”
When she finally reported the abuse, police told her that on average, a woman is hit 37 times before speaking out.
“All I did was lie – ‘No, I’m fine thanks, I’m fine.’ And that’s exhausting.”
From Darkness to Strength
Now happily married and living in Hertfordshire, Jaye said it took “years” to trust and open up again.
“You start with little things. I like tea, but no milk. I like coffee black. I do not like bread. I’m allowed to change my mind. Those small choices are your foundation because you can decide without consequence.”
She admitted that even today, she bristles at the phrase “Why didn’t you just leave?”
“I want to stab them in the eye and go, ‘Where? And tell who? And do what?’” she said bluntly, earning nods of understanding from the panel.
Viewers Praise Her Courage
Fans flooded social media to praise Jaye’s honesty and bravery. Many called her interview “heartbreaking but empowering,” with one viewer writing:
“Jaye Griffiths speaking about domestic abuse on Loose Women has me in tears. She’s so brave — what a strong woman.”
Another added:
“It takes incredible courage to speak about something so painful. Sending her so much love and respect.”
Balancing Real Life and On-Screen Villainy
Jaye’s on-screen alter ego, Celia Daniels, is currently one of Emmerdale’s most ruthless new villains — the mastermind behind the drug gang terrorising the village and the woman who violently attacked teenager April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan).
The irony of portraying a character who exerts control and violence isn’t lost on Jaye.
“She is very different to anyone I have played before,” the actress said before joining the show earlier this year. “I can’t wait to really get into the heart of her storyline.”
A Career of Strength and Range
Jaye Griffiths is a familiar face to UK audiences, having appeared in The Bill, Casualty, Silent Witness, Holby City, Doctor Who, and Death in Paradise. Despite her success, she credits her survival story — not her screen career — as her proudest achievement.
Her words on Loose Women were a powerful reminder that survival comes not in giant leaps, but in reclaiming the smallest freedoms — one cup of tea at a time.