Marisha Wallace's family tragedy: Father's decision to ban Christmas on ITV Celebrity Big Brother - OK! Magazine

Celebrity Big Brother participant Marisha Wallace, known for her vivacious and outspoken nature, has opened up to her followers about some of the struggles she has experienced prior to her participation in the well-known reality show.

Significant events in her past, such as not being able to celebrate Christmas and witnessing the unfolding diagnosis of schizophrenia in her former husband, had a significant impact on the theatre actress known for her work in the West End.

In an interview with MailOnline, the 38-year-old actress recounted instances where she had to hide festive decorations from her father, who was also diagnosed with a mental illness.

'My mother would make an effort to put up a Christmas tree and a wreath. He would remove them. She would try to install lights. He would dismantle them,' she told the outlet.

'Our gifts were hidden away in a trash bag by my mother. In a confined space, we would have a hidden celebration on Christmas Day. Christmas is typically viewed as a season of joy, but it can also bring sorrow.'

Marisha also shared the painful experience of witnessing her ex-husband's psychological breakdown as he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and made an attempt to end his life.

Experiencing a decade-long relationship with her then spouse, Marisha expressed that she had an intuitive sense that 'something was off.'

According to her, 'We sought therapy and medication for him, but the medication wasn't effective. Plus, procuring this in the States was costly.'

She added that though she wanted to 'persevere', the expenses were burdensome and ultimately they had to return to Australia, where 'healthcare is availed at no cost.'

During her time as caretaker for her then-husband, Marisha learned essential lessons and highlighted that caregivers of people with mental illness also need help and affection, emphasizing that a mental health crisis affects more than just the person suffering from the illness.

The singer also had a close brush with potentially losing her stunning voice when she found a cyst on her vocal cord. Marisha indicated that had she opted for surgery to remove it, her singing career might have ended. However, she revealed that the cyst miraculously disappeared after many people in her church prayed for her. The doctor later confirmed that the cyst had dissolved.

Marisha's fans are eager to learn more about her during her time on Big Brother. Theatre enthusiasts already know her from many performances, including Aladdin and Dreamgirls.

She graced the Big Brother house in the launch episode on Monday, March 4, as one of the 12 contestants in the 2024 season, greeted by presenters AJ Adudu and Will Best.