Vicky Pattison, the Geordie reality star turned TV and radio host, has shared a heartfelt insight into her relationship with her father in an exclusive chat with OK! Raised in Newcastle by her mother Caroll, the 37 year old spoke openly about her dad, who battles with alcoholism, stating “he is not a well man – but he’s a great man and a great dad.”
The ex-Geordie Shore star, whose father John was the focus of her poignant Channel 4 documentary ‘Alcohol, dad And Me’ in 2022, disclosed that both her parents have taught her valuable life lessons. She admitted that her father has shown her that displaying vulnerability isn’t a sign of weakness, and they would often share emotional moments watching films together.
“He’s 6ft 2, a solid Geordie man, who used to do more one-handed press-ups in bars than Rocky. He’d cry with me watching a Disney film. He’ll discuss his illness openly, hoping it helps others. I realised gender roles could be reversed and it’s shaped me into the woman I am. I’m incredibly proud of both my parents.”
Previously discussing the significance of her documentary with her father, and growing up as the child of an alcoholic, she confessed, “For years, my family kept my dad’s illness a secret- I learnt from a very young age that we weren’t to talk about what was happening inside our home with anyone else.
“But people are never going to understand this illness if we keep hiding it away… The only way to break down the stigma of addiction and alcoholism is by giving it more sunlight, more candour and less judgement. I spent so many years not understanding my dad’s illness- going through this horrendous cycle of being mad at him, feeling guilty, feeling like I was somehow to blame, feeling devastated that my dad just didn’t love me enough to stop drinking.”
In our exclusive heart-to-heart, Vicky shared that her mum’s greatest lesson was the pursuit of joy. “Mum taught me strength and resilience, she told me never to compromise in my pursuit of happiness. She kept going. She’s been through a lot. She tried to make her marriage work for a long time, and make him well – until she couldn’t. She still has a great relationship with dad. She went on to lose a partner she adored, but she’s never stopped believing she could be happy.That’s a huge lesson for a young woman to learn. “.
Vicky seems to have found her happily ever after with new hubby Ercan Ramadan. At 31, she’s basking in the comfort of married life with Ercan, admitting it might seem “old-fashioned” to some, but she’s totally okay with that.
“Everything’s fast and transient these days. Finding a safe space is everything, someone with whom the noise is not so loud… he’s the best. I always wanted to be settled, loved and happy – and I am all those things.”