Hollyoaks star Isabelle Smith offers hug to younger self as she breaks silence on anxiety battle

Hollyoaks star Isabelle Smith has opened up about her battle with anxiety.

The Frankie Osborne actress opened up her Instagram messages for a Q&A with fans, and was quick to reply to a question about what advice she would give to her younger self.

‘I would say to her not to worry so much!’ The 23 year old wrote.

‘I suffered with really terrible anxiety (and still do) and spent most of my teenage years worrying about things that I had no control over.

‘I’d tell her to keep going because it will all be worth it in the end and probably give her a hug.’

Isabelle joined the cast of Hollyoaks as Frankie earlier this year, and was launched straight into a hard-hitting storyline tackling the topic of sibling sexual abuse.

The storyline has had a huge impact on fans, which Isabelle reflected on when she spoke to Metro at the Inside Soap Awards.

‘I think the reaction has been everything we could’ve hoped for and more,’ she told us. ‘Hannah Cheers and the team have done an absolutely incredible job with this storyline.

‘It’s not over yet – we’re still going – and I think it’s been amazing for us to be able to bring such a taboo subject that’s not really spoken about widely in the media to the forefront of people’s lives.

‘It’s gone viral on TikTok, it’s all over Instagram and Facebook. Everybody at my Nana’s gym is talking about it.

‘I think it’s really good that we’re supporting survivors of sibling sexual abuse.

‘I also just want to say that Ryan [Mulvey, who plays JJ Osborne] has also done an incredible job with it and we couldn’t have done this storyline without him. He’s been very brave.’