Lucy Mecklenburgh battled exercise addiction after splitting from ex Mario Falcone

Lucy Mecklenburgh became addicted to exercise after splitting from ex-boyfriend Mario Falcone in 2012.

Former The Only Way Is Essex star Lucy, who runs her own fitness business, has opened up about her troubles, admitted she was dangerously thin at one point.

She told The Sun’s Fabulous magazine: “I was addicted to exercise. It wasn’t about being thin, but it made me happier so I’d do it a lot more.

“After that [photo] shoot I went shopping and properly looked at myself in the changing room mirror. I thought, ‘OK, I’m too thin. I need to put on weight,’ so I made a conscious effort to eat a bit more and not exercise as much.

“These days I still train hard – up to five times a week for half an hour at a time. It’s still a lot, but that’s what works for me, and I eat a lot more now.

“I think it’s very important to exercise regularly, I don’t feel good when I don’t. But I am not obsessive any more. I work out to stay fit and lean, not to lose weight.”

The television personality added that she doesn’t feel under pressure to keep fit despite going out with Olympic gymnast Louis Smith.

In fact, she dreads the thought of working out with her new man.

She said: “Sod that. You look horrendous when you exercise. I wouldn’t want to do that with my boyfriend!”

We’re not sure you ever look horrendous, Lucy!

GALLERY: Lucy Mecklenburgh and boyfriend Louis Smith have a New Year's Eve PDA-athon