Michelle Ryan reveals depression during her stay in 'EastEnders'

Michelle Ryan, better known as bad girl Zoe Slater on BBC1 soap 'EastEnders', has revealed her months of depression.

Ryan, who had to be written out of storylines for 4-months, was struggling to cope with the death of her grandfather and constant media interest with her weight in 2002.

The actress, who played Zoe Slater on the BBC One soap, struggled to cope with the death of her grandfather and constant gossip about her weight in 2002.

"I am a perfectionist and put huge pressures on myself to perform well. I always used to put in 100 per cent, and it was so draining," Michelle told WENN.

"People were saying I looked too big on screen and commenting if I put on the slightest amount of weight. I felt terrible. I was at an age when I was still trying to come to terms with my body."

The brunette bombshell decided that to leave the hit soap in 2005, and since, has gone on to other successful roles such as her up-and-coming US TV starring appearance as 'The Bionic Woman'.