Patsy Kensit gets undressed in the dark because of her body insecurities

Speaking to The Sun on Sunday newspaper, Patsy shared: "It's affected my mental health to the point where I've had serious issues with agoraphobia.

"I've wasted a lot of therapy on body image ... It's not nice to be pulled apart.

"Over the years, I got a real bashing - if someone told me they'd seen a picture of me somewhere, I'd immediately ask them if I looked fat.

"I've got areas of my body I don't like. I'd never lie on a beach unless I was covered head to toe. I just wouldn't want that exposure.

"I undress in the dark, too. Not even the cat - who is my pride and joy and the one dearest to my heart - has seen me naked with the lights on."

Patsy has found the speculation about her weight to be "soul-destroying" at times.

She shared: "For close to 30 years now, I've never been the 'right' size. I was too skinny, then I was too fat and nicknamed 'Fatsy Patsy'.

"It became almost like a national sport trying to get me pictured with a cake in my hand and it was soul-destroying.

"Now, apparently, I'm too skinny again. Whatever I've looked like, it's never been good enough."

By contrast, Patsy felt much more confident during her teenage years.

The actress said: "Just the other day, I was looking at some pictures from years ago and there was this shot of me from 'Absolute Beginners' and I was dancing.

"I was 16 when I did that movie and I didn't have any idea what was going to come at me.

"I was so free and so confident. And I thought: 'Where did that person go?'"