Antiques Road Trip star details family struggle as he says 'I've found it hard'

Antiques Road Trip's Philip Serrell has candidly discussed his daughter's harrowing journey through anorexia.

The stalwart of the BBC show is wed to Briony and shares a close bond with their daughter Clementine.

Philip has not shied away from detailing his difficulty in coming to terms with his daughter's illness. Now recovered, Clementine is eager to support those who face similar battles.

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"As a dad, it's been very difficult, I've found it very hard to understand. I've spent 62 years enjoying eating and it's very hard not to say, 'Just eat, it's easy',” he frankly told MailOnline back in 2016.

He added: “But Clementine has come through this on her own and I know she'd love to help others who are in a similar situation.

"Christmas is a very difficult time of year because people suffering with anorexia get booze and food shoved at them - and that's very hard to deal with."

In a heartwarming show of progress, Clementine revealed her strides in recovery in 2020, posting side-by-side photos from the peak of her condition and now, reports the Express.

"Never think you can't escape," she encouraged in the image caption, while opening up about the additional challenges of battling bulimia and anorexia.

Clementine delved into how her deteriorating romantic relationship might have unleashed a crisis within, leading to a life that seemed alien to her.

In 2011, the fitness coach succumbed to bulimia, confessing that she vomited "about eight times" on New Year's Eve and woke up the next morning drowning in "shame and utter self loathing".

The year following marked the onset of anorexia for Clementine.She expressed: "That was the worst year, and Christmas, ever. It was just pure hell, with no escape. I was TOTALLY consumed by the eating disorder, addicted to it, addicted to counting calories and 'burning off' what I could.

"I weighed EVERYTHING. I counted the calories in EVERYTHING. I hated what I'd become but I was petrified of giving up that addiction."

She detailed her grueling journey towards recovery, stating: "After a long, and at times sooooo painfully slow, recovery I'm here, where I am now... I will always talk about eating disorders, and I'll always be honest. I don't post things like this for any praise or anything like that but to show others that you can get your life back."

Clementine stated emphatically: "I will always talk about eating disorders, and I'll always be honest. I don't post things like this for any praise or anything like that but to show others that you can get your life back. And also because I genuinely believe EDs are still very misunderstood and that kills me a bit.

"This is a hard time to go through, especially if you have an eating disorder but know that there can be life on the other side. And know that you really are strong enough to get there."

Antiques Road Trip is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.