Television presenter, writer and staunch campaigner against domestic violence, Wendy Turner-Webster has just published her first novel. She spoke to Mary-ann Astle about what inspired her to start writing.

THE 18 months Wendy Turner-Webster spent writing her first book saw her relive some of the most painful moments of her life.

Her fictional novel, The End Of Emily West, sees the elements of domestic violence based on true events in her own life.

The novel tells the story of Emily, whose idyllic childhood is shattered by the death of her younger brother Bobby from meningitis. Her wish to escape to a more exciting life seems to be granted at the age of 18 when she meets Darren.

But the relationship turns nasty with Darren becoming domineering and violent, leading her into a world of drink, drugs and sexual exploitation.

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Wendy, aged 42, said: "I decided I wanted to write a fictional novel and the advice is generally to draw on your own experiences. Thinking about what I had gone through in my life I thought that was strong material."

The mother-of-two, who presented Channel Four's Pet Rescue for seven years, drew on memories of living on a knife-edge, afraid her partner would explode at any time.

Episodes which saw her slapped, kicked to the floor, pinched, or punched in the back of the head to catapult her out of bed.

She also relived being made to beg for mercy, her face crushed against the carpet or locking herself in a bedroom to escape.

Wendy said: "When I was writing the book I was reliving a part of my life I would rather forget. I always think that when I'm giving speeches on domestic violence that if I can't tell my own experiences well and help people by doing that then it reflects poorly on me as a person.

"Domestic violence can still be a taboo subject and there is a secrecy surrounding it. People should be able to discuss it, it should be out in the public arena and that way the abusers can't hide and they lose some of their power.

"People have got stereotypes about who they see as the victim and the abuser. They think the victims are poor or working class women and the abusers are big muscle men.

"But domestic violence has no barriers, it affects every class, creed and culture."

In 2004, Wendy was struck down by viral meningitis while staying at her parents' home in Norton. Two years later she went through financial difficulties and the Inland Revenue went on to file for bankruptcy.

Wendy said: "The book took me 18 months to write. I wasn't writing full time and it was during a time when a lot was going on.

"I'd been declared bankrupt and I was literally writing as the bailiffs were knocking on the door. But I knew I had to stick with it."

Half the profits of the book are being donated to women's charity Refuge, and the book was given its official launch at the charity's headquarters in London last night.

"I'm a very big supporter of Refuge and I've worked with them before on campaigns," said Wendy.

"I hope people find my book an easy and entertaining read. I'm not trying to preach, I just wanted to write a good story that has an underlying message."

Wendy is now happily married to former Minder star and Family Affairs actor Gary Webster and they have two children, Jack, aged nine, and six-year-old Freddie.

Wendy said: "If it wasn't for Gary I wouldn't have ever fully recovered from the situation I was in. It wasn't until I met Gary that I had the strength and the support to address my demons.

"I want women to realise that they can have a happy ending because when you're stuck in that situation you think there is no other life for you."

The End Of Emily West is published by AuthorHousex, priced £7.99.

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