LILY Allen has admitted that she has fought an eating disorder, getting sick after meals at the peak of her fame.

The 25-year-old singer talks about her battle with bulimia in a Channel 4 documentary to be broadcast next week.

In the documentary, about the launch of the star’s new career as a clothes shop owner with her sister Sarah Owen, she said: “There was a point last summer where I had an eating disorder.

“I used to vomit after meals. It is not something I am proud of.

“But I tell you what, a lot of people used to come up to me and tell me how great I looked and I was on the cover of every magazine with them saying ‘Lily is looking amazing – look how much weight she has lost’.

“I thought I looked good and it was great to try on clothes and walk out of the shop feeling a million dollars.

“When you have been a victim of people saying the complete opposite, you want more of it. But I wasn’t happy, I really wasn’t.”

Ronnie Murray, of Poole, who helps people with eating distress, says it is fantastic that Lily Allen is speaking publicly about her battle with bulimia.

“It helps to normalise an eating problem rather than it being seen as something to be hidden away,’’ she told the Echo. “Many young people look up to Lily, so it can help them to understand why it is such an unhealthy way to lose weight. Binge eating is very addictive and it is often a coping mechanism for stress.”

The documentary was filmed before Lily suffered her second miscarriage, while six months pregnant last November, but the film crew went back to continue filming her story after the loss of her baby.

Lily told the programme: “It was a really long battle – and I think that kind of thing changes a person.”

The star, who is said to be planning to marry boyfriend Sam Cooper, ended her recording career despite enjoying huge success.

She said of her decision: “My idea of hell would be doing this in 25 years time.”

• Lily Allen: From Riches To Rags begins next Tuesday at 10pm on Channel 4.