By Rory Reynolds
TV singing sensation Jenny Douglas has revealed she was subjected to torment by cruel bullies over her weight at school.
The stunning Scots beauty – who is set to become a West End star if she wins the final of TV talent contest Over the Rainbow – said she had a “tough time” when she first arrived at high school in Edinburgh.
The 18-year-old also revealed that things got so bad that she underwent a gruelling weight loss regime to lose a staggering four stones in just six months.
Speaking ahead of the final, Jenny said: “It was nothing to do with the school itself, but I got a tough time. Everyone was trying to fit in and find a good group of friends.
“I suppose it’s part of growing up and kids can be very cruel. It was a big achievement for me to lose all the weight.”
Jenny, from South Queensferry, West Lothian, said that that by losing weight she had been able to gain the confidence to appear on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s TV contest to find the star of the next Wizard of Oz production.
Now, as one of just seven finalists in the prime time TV programme, Jenny said that she never had imagined that she would make it so far.
She said: “I feel great now. Not too big, not too skinny, just right.”
“I watch people on all these reality TV shows and I always think ‘what a sob story!’. I suppose this is mine though.
“Maybe if people read this they will see I’m just a normal, average girl.
“Yes I got bullied, but there could be some wee girls who watch me on TV and they too are feeling self-conscious, just like I did.
“Maybe they will think I could do that too – I could follow my dream.”
Last Saturday Jenny gave an emotional performance of Duffy’s Warwick Avenue, but was told that she needed to improve on her acting by celebrity judge John Partridge, who plays Christian in Eastenders.
She said: “I really did try hard, but I will work ten times harder. I need to push my acting. It’s something I feel comfortable with on stage, but in rehearsals I often feel I could have done with more training.
”I really am trying to get John back on side. I suppose he just wants to get the best out of me.”
Jenny said a simple “thank you” was not enough to show the public, who have voted her to stay in the competition each week, how much she appreciates their support.
She said: “What can I say? You have changed my life and let me fulfil my dreams.”
