Made In Chelsea's Olivia Bentley reveals the 'real reason' she left the reality show was because she was 'drinking too much'
Olivia Bentley has opened up about the 'real reason' she has stepped away from television after hitting pause on appearing in Made In Chelsea.
The reality star, 28, found fame on the reality programme back in 2016 and has decided to take a break from filming the E4 show after eight years.
It was originally revealed by a spokesperson that longest-serving MIC star Olivia wanted to focus on her own business Jomo after her relationship breakdown with Tristan Phipps last year.
However, the TV personality has now said one factor played a major role in her realise it was time for a break.
Speaking with Pop Sugar, Olivia said: 'I was struggling with deciding whether to stay on the show or not. The last series was really hard and speaking honestly, I was drinking a lot more than I normally do. I was drinking unnecessarily and to mask sadness.
Olivia Bentley has opened up about the heartbreaking 'real reason' she has stepped away from television
The reality star, 28, found fame on Made In Chelsea back in 2016 and decided to take a break from filming the E4 show after eight years - pictured 2018
'I was relying on booze to give me energy, make me feel happier, give me confidence — all the wrong reasons.
'I was trying to bring the energy to be the Liv that everyone thought I was but inside, I was really unhappy, and that's why I stopped drinking.
'But I'm still close with my friends who are on the show and our friendships have stayed the same.' Earlier this year, a source told The Sun that Olivia was tired of being at the front of all the drama on the hit reality show.
They said: 'Liv has been at the forefront of all the drama for years - she's been there the longest out of everyone.
'It's been hard-going in recent series with her relationship with Tristan breaking down and she realised she needs to take a step back for her own good.
'She's in a really great place and still loves the show so is taking a step back for now. There's some new stars joining the cast who are ready and raring to shake things up a bit.'
A Channel 4 spokesman confirmed earlier this year: 'Liv Bentley has been sharing her life with Made in Chelsea audiences for the past eight years and is now taking a short but well-earned break from the series to focus on her business – JOMO.
'We look forward to welcoming her back to the show later this year.'
It was originally revealed by a spokesperson that longest-serving MIC star Olivia wanted to focus on her own business Jomo after her relationship breakdown with Tristan Phipps last year (pictured together)
However, the TV personality has now said one factor played a major role in her realise it was time for a break
Olivia said: 'The last series was really hard and speaking honestly, I was drinking a lot more than I normally do. I was drinking unnecessarily and to mask sadness'
She added: I was relying on booze to give me energy, make me feel happier, give me confidence — all the wrong reasons. I was really unhappy, and that's why I stopped drinking.'
Liv has been on the show since series 11 back in 2016, starting off as a previous fling of Sam Thompson.
She went on to be a central character on the show, with her on-and-off relationship with Tristan, 26, being a hugely dramatic storyline.
She is believed to be currently single after the couple split once and for all last year, with the messy breakup was documented on the Channel 4 show.
Both stars moved on with other partners, with Liv dating David Templer before realising she wasn't ready for another relationship.
Meanwhile Tristan, 26, went on to date newcomer Lauren Sintes after his split from Liv.
