Musical theatre, ‘alcohol problems’ and Zayn Malik: Everything you need to know about Stephanie Davis

After a turbulent 12 months, during which she lost her job on Hollyoaks and admitted to struggling with alcohol, Stephanie Davis has entered the Celebrity Big Brother house.

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by Jack White |
Published on

Here’s everything you need to know about the pretty brunette, from her early ambitions to the famous men she’s been linked too…

Early life and family

Stephanie was born on 8 March 1993 in Merseyside. She lives in Liverpool with her parents and two younger brothers.

Before turning her attentions to acting, Steph dreamed of becoming a West End star. She started singing and performing aged six and has played the lead in many Liverpool-based musicals.

Steph attended De La Salle School in St Helens, and once said her biggest regret is not paying enough attention in maths class!

Before acting, Steph had dreams of being a West End star
Before acting, Steph had dreams of being a West End star

Career

When she was 17, Steph took part in the BBC talent competition Over The Rainbow. In the show, hopefuls battled to win the role of Dorothy in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Wizard of Oz.

Steph made it to week five of the show, performing songs including Pixie Lott’s Mama Do Let’s Get Loud by Jennifer Lopez, before being voted off.

Taking part in BBC One's Over The Rainbow

Soon after, Steph was cast as Sinead O’Connor in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks.

In September 2015 Steph revealed plans to launch a singing career. She told The Sun: “I have a lot of meetings [coming up] with producers. My music vibe is like a Rihanna, The Script sort of thing.”

Steph entered the Celebrity Big Brother house in January 2016.

Controversies

In July 2015 it was confirmed Steph’s contract with Hollyoaks had been terminated with immediate effect. Soon after it was rumoured that Steph had a drinking problem, and her agent confirmed she’d turned up for filming intoxicated.

Steph told the Mirror: “I will hold my hands up and admit I’ve been drinking too much. I’ve been struggling for a while and booze was an escape for me.”

But she insisted it was her decision to leave, adding: “I had my make-up done then I just said to one of my castmates, I can’t do this. I said I was going to go home.

Playing Hollyoaks' Sinead O'Connor

“People tried to stop me and warn me about the consequences. But I said ‘I don’t care’. I just wasn’t thinking straight.”

Steph was due to take part in I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here 2015, but was forced to pull out due to her nut allergy.

Following allegations, she tweeted: “Yes it’s true, I was signed up for I’m a Celebrity, but unfortunately due to a severe nut allergy it would be unsafe for me to take part in the jungle.

“I’m absolutely gutted as it would have been a brilliant experience and [I’m] sure I would have had you all laughing your socks off. Don’t worry though, there [is] amazing stuff coming up for me so keep your eyes peeled! [sic].”

Relationships

Following her axe from Hollyoaks, Steph opened up about a tough relationship that forced her to turn to drink.

She said: “I went through a really tough time a few years ago where I did rely on [alcohol] a bit, but that was when I was in an unhappy relationship.”

In 2011, Steph dated One Direction singer Zayn Malik after he split from Rebecca Ferguson. Shortly before her appearance on CBB, Steph said: “I’m not about to spill the beans [on Zayn]. It was years ago, I don’t know why people are still bothered.

Steph won't be spilling the beans on her relationship with Zayn

“Zayn is a good guy and I’ve not a bad word to say about him, and I know he’s not got a bad word to say about me.”

Commenting on their five month romance, Steph added: “Is that even a relationship? It ended well.”

Another famous face Steph has been linked to recently is Geordie Shore’s Gaz Beadle. During the CBB launch night Gaz, 27, issued a warning to his co-star Scotty T, who was also in the house with Steph.

Steph with boyfriend Sam Reece

Gaz said: “Oh, Stephanie Davis. Scott, don’t go there, cos then you’d be getting my sloppy seconds, kid.”

Steph has been dating model Sam Reece since last year, who first appeared on Channel 4’s First Dates at the beginning of 2015.

Dismissing any hopes of a CBB romance, Steph said: “I love [Sam] to bits, he’s been my rock. I’m doing [the show] for us – we’ve got an exciting year coming up together.”

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