Dollar ding-dong drove me close to breakdown: Sonia

Singer Sonia told today how a bust-up on TV’s Reborn In The USA drove her to the brink of a nervous breakdown.

The Liverpudlian star, booted out of the show on Saturday, said she would be happy if she never met pop duo Dollar again after they fell out.

Sonia flew back to the UK early yesterday and said she spent until this morning locked in a hotel room with her husband making the most of their reunion.

“I haven’t been out of that room the whole time – no wonder I’m shattered,” she said.

The 32-year-old said contestants on the series, where former chart stars try to revive their careers in the US, were suffering from sexual frustration after five weeks on the road.

“People are feeling the strain – obviously I couldn’t wait to see my husband Mark.”

Sonia notably fell out with Dollar duo Thereze Bazaar and David Van Day within days of the show beginning when they were both up for public vote to be ousted from the show.

And the two sides ended up in a public slanging match, which she now ranks as the worst experience of her life.

“There were a couple of nights where I was so stressed out I came close to a nervous breakdown,” said the You’ll Never Stop Me From Loving You hitmaker.

She said she tried to cheer herself up by drinking during the early part of the tour.

“I had a couple of beers and they went straight to my head, but, hey, I’m only human.”

If Dollar had not been given the chop, she said she would “probably” have come to blows with them.

“I wouldn’t like to meet up with them again to be honest. If they stay out of my way, I’ll stay out of theirs.

“I really don’t think about them – why would I waste my time thinking about them? I don’t really care.”

Sonia said the first fortnight was the worst part of the trip, but she was glad she did not quit the programme during its early stages. She had briefly walked out because she was feeling down.

“Having all that behind me, I feel so proud of myself for sticking it out,” she said.