Penny Lancaster Reveals Childhood Trauma in Upcoming Memoir

Penny Lancaster, the 54-year-old model and television personality, has opened up about her traumatic experiences with sexual assault in her forthcoming memoir, Someone Like Me. This will mark the first time she has publicly shared these deeply personal accounts, which span from her childhood into her teenage years. Married to renowned musician Sir Rod Stewart, Lancaster has detailed how these encounters with predatory men have profoundly impacted her life.

Revealing the Past

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Lancaster discussed the harrowing incidents that shaped her early years. She recounts being a vulnerable five-year-old, where she first experienced fear when a man attempted to abduct her as she played in her garden. Her father intervened, confronting the man and ensuring he would remember the incident. This terrifying moment was just the beginning of a series of assaults that would follow throughout her youth.

At the age of 12, Lancaster faced another traumatic encounter in an underpass. As she walked alone to school, a man grabbed her from behind. Despite managing to escape, she faced further distress when police mistakenly arrested an innocent man while the true perpetrator was never caught. This incident contributed to lasting effects on her mental health, including a condition called hyperhidrosis, which causes excessive sweating during anxiety-inducing moments.

Continuing the Struggle

The challenges did not end there. Lancaster describes another assault at the age of 17, during the early stages of her modelling career. Invited to a male fashion designer’s home under the pretense of attending a fundraising event, she recalls being handed a martini. The next thing she remembers is waking up in his bedroom, disoriented and without her underwear. “I had been drugged,” she wrote in her memoir, reflecting on the uncertainty of whether she had been raped.

In a chilling turn, the man contacted her the following day, asking if he could buy her a diamond necklace. These experiences have led Lancaster to confront her past through writing, allowing her to process the trauma she endured. “You go back to Penelope as a 12-year-old… and try to remember what she was going through,” she explained, emphasizing the importance of understanding her younger self.

Additionally, Lancaster faced public humiliation during her appearance on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021, where she was demeaned by former judge Gregg Wallace. This incident drew criticism from her husband, Sir Rod Stewart, who described Wallace as a “tubby, bald-headed bully” after he publicly defended his wife. The fallout from this incident has led to Wallace’s departure from the BBC following an investigation into past misconduct allegations.

As Lancaster prepares to release Someone Like Me at the end of September, she hopes her story will resonate with others who have experienced similar traumas. Her memoir serves as a testament to resilience and the journey towards healing.

For anyone affected by sexual assault, support is available. Victim Support offers resources and assistance for survivors, and can be reached at 0333 300 6389.