Emily Atack says she’s been regularly in tears and faced ‘crushing anxiety’ since being in solo self-isolation

, and said it has been “three weeks since I have physically touched another human being.”

She wrote: “Like so many, I have been in shock. I’ve cried for all the people who have lost their lives, I’ve clapped and banged a saucepan on my doorstep for the NHS staff who are risking it all every day. 

“I’ve woken up in the middle of the night with crushing anxiety like I’ve never experienced before. My internal monologue is already knackered.

“Being alone has always been my number one fear. And yet here I am. In the middle of a pandemic, completely isolated from everyone and everything I know and love, Instagraming myself poaching an egg.”

Emily opened up about how she is managing to pass the time, and said she has rejoined online dating apps. 

She said she also frequently FaceTimes her mum, who is also isolating alone, and “cringes” at couples doing TikTok videos. 

The I’m a Celebrity star added: “I am learning it’s OK to feel sad right now, it’s OK to admit you’re a bit alone, and it’s OK to feel s**t. Especially if you suffer with mental health issues.”

She advised people should give themselves a break and accept that Instagram is far from reality. 

Being alone has always been my number one fear. And yet here I am. In the middle of a pandemic, completely isolated from everyone and everything I know and love, Instagraming myself poaching an egg.

Emily Atack

Emily told people who are isolating alone like she is to “be kind to themselves”, and to try new things such as yoga apps, volunteering, reading, having a gin (“not too early and not too large) and to watch Titanic “for the 107,000th time”. 

She did joke that she draws the line at jumping on the banana bread bandwagon and said it can “f*** off”. 

This follows Emily admitting she would give anything to have a “row with a husband” in lockdown, due to feeling lonely.

Emily told Emma Barnett on BBC Radio 5 Live that she feels lonely and that the current situation with the coronavirus outbreak is “bleak and miserable and awful”.

The actress said: “I think at times like this you’ve got to appreciate everything you have, but you know, I’d give anything to have a row with a husband right now.”

In September, we reported how Emily split from film producer Rob Jowers after a holiday with her family appeared to convince them they wanted different things.

A telly source said: “Emily and Rob were enjoying a honeymoon phase in their relationship with lots of fancy dates and extravagant weekends abroad.