Ex Eastenders actress Cheryl Fergison has revealed the heartbreaking moment her teenage son’s father disowned him upon learning that he was gay.

The actress, who played Heather Trott in the soap, opened up to listeners on the The Hundamental Guide to Life podcast, as she talked about her relationship with her son, Alex.

Cheryl, 56, couldn’t praise her son enough in the frank interview as she commended the young actor and writer and revealed how he had overcome so much adversity to become the success he is today.

"When he came out at 16 his dad disowned him. He doesn't speak to him, “ said Cheryl.

"He's been through that and I've re-married since and everybody is accepting in our family now.

"In his 22 years of life, he has gone through the mill and back. But whatever has happened we have been side-by-side. As long as he's happy and healthy that is all that matters."

Cheryl, who herself is an LGBT ally, also revealed that she regularly visits drag clubs with her son, and was an advocate for equal rights long before Alex was even born.

She also admitted that she often discusses the gay community with friend and presenter Paul O'Grady and is grateful to see that the world is slowly becoming more accessible.

Drawing attention to some of the difficulties her son faced growing up, she explained: "He suffered from AHDH, he went to a behavioural school. The world wanted to put him on medication, but I ended up taking him off it. He could've been a really naughty boy and ended up with not a fantastic life.

"But I decided to take control and say, 'There's nothing wrong with him, he just wants to do his own thing and if he wants to wear a dress then so be it. If he wants to put make-up on then so be it.

"Now, he's an amazingly, rounded young man who has been through challenges."

Aside from discussing the close bond she shares with Alex, Cheryl also revealed that she would like to participate in I’m A Celebrity, but the star claimed she had been banned from the show by ITV bosses after her stint on Celebrity Big Brother back in 2012.

"I've desperately wanted to, the whole of my life, even pre-Big Brother, do the Jungle. But unfortunately, if you've done Big Brother you cannot go into the Jungle. For some reason ITV think it's too near. I think it's silly. "

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