Weather presenter Ruth Dodsworth has spoken out about learning to love life again after finding love following years of a “living hell” with her abusive ex-husband.

Ruth shared the happy news that she has recently remarried, keeping the news quiet amid concerns of how people would react.

The ITV presenter was speaking on ITV’s Lorraine on Monday morning to talk about her new campaign as she urged victims who find themselves in similar positions to "make that call".

Ex-husband of ITV presenter jailed

In March, ex-husband Jonathan Wignall, 54, pleaded guilty to one count of coercive and controlling behaviour and stalking.

In April he was jailed for three years at Cardiff Crown Court and handed a restraining order against contacting Ms Dodsworth.

County Times: Undated handout file photo issued by South Wales Police of Jonathan Wignall. (PA)Undated handout file photo issued by South Wales Police of Jonathan Wignall. (PA)

Dodsworth ‘one of the lucky ones’

Speaking to Lorraine, Dodsworth described herself as “one of the lucky ones” and explained how she had been working with police to help recognise the signs of domestic abuse.

She said: "At the start of the relationship, the attention was quite flattering, but then years down the line you realise you haven't seen your friends, your family, life is very, very different.

"I am a relatively intelligent person, and I didn't really see it until nearly 20 years later when my ex-husband was arrested.

"It took the police telling me and showing me that signs, that I realised he ticked all the boxes. Hindsight is an amazing thing, but it happened almost by stealth.

"My self-esteem was at rock bottom for a long, long time at home. I used to cry going into work, cry in the dressing room but then switched into work mode, and then cry on the way home knowing I was going home to it, but I did it because I had to.

"I became a possession, and it was dehumanising and degrading. Even in court there was no remorse, no understanding."

ITV’s Ruth Dodsworth on new husband

The TV presenter spoke about her new husband and said “everyone is entitled to a happy life”.

She said: "I am one of the lucky ones. He has been incredible and it is a learning experience.

I have had to relearn 'normal life'. I had to relearn that it was OK if my friend rang, it is OK if I need to go somewhere for work. I can do these things, and he can trust me.

"I am lucky that I have family and friends around me. It doesn't end just because you get that conviction. He (Wignell) will get out, but that is something we are going to have to deal with.

"But you can have a life. Everyone is entitled to have a happy life.”

She added: "The hardest thing in the world is to make that call, to make that change. It has not been easy. It has been horrifying, it has been terrifying. Got no money, got no home, everything goes, and you just know that life will never be the same again, but, do you know what, thank goodness life will never be the same again.

"We got married this year. We kept it quiet because you never know how people are going to react, but he absolutely saved my life, and my family and children adore him."