Two years after a devastating car accident that killed her mother and left her with severe injuries, former The Only Way Is Essex star Clelia Theodorou has shared an emotional update — showing the scars she once feared revealing.
In May 2023, Clelia was pregnant when the horrific crash broke both her legs and feet. Her mother suffered fatal injuries. “It’s with the biggest regret to say my beautiful Mum couldn’t heal from hers,” Clelia said at the time. “She loved me unconditionally — the pure definition of a mother’s love.”
Later that year, Clelia welcomed her daughter Cielo with partner Tommy Cole. But the journey back to walking — and accepting her new body — has been long and painful.
Taking to Instagram this week, Clelia admitted she was “really nervous” to post photos showing her scars. “My body changed overnight, and each surgery has changed it further,” she wrote. “It’s only been in the last few weeks I’ve braved having my legs out at all… I have around 12 scars in total. As much as they affect me, I am walking again, able to have lovely trips to the park with Cici, and start living again.”
She acknowledged the mental toll of her recovery. “Trauma changes you inside and out. Some days are really hard, some days are easier. But I want to be transparent and let people know it’s okay not to feel okay every day — good days like this are also around the corner.”
Fans were quick to flood her post with love, with one telling her: “Your scars tell a story — one where you survived and got through something terrible. Be proud.”
Clelia, who appeared in Towie from 2018 to 2021, says she’s still learning to accept her scars but now sees them as a symbol of survival and strength.
