Anthea Turner says she felt like a slave during her divorce

The former Blue Peter presenter said the ordeal of ending a marriage is very different for middle-aged women and it has inspired her to write a self-help book to help others in her position.

The 55-year-old TV personality is facing court action over the sale of the former marital home she shared with Grant – whom she divorced last year after he had an affair.

It is understood the 57-acre property in Surrey called Barbins Grange was sold in 2009 for £10 million, after the collapse of Grant’s buy-to-let property business during the financial crisis.

She told the Mirror: “I’m writing a self-help book on how to survive divorce, because my divorce experience was awful.

“I’ve learnt so much on this slave journey. It’s very different getting divorced in your 50s than it is in your 20s or 30s. I think you deal with it very differently.

“You need to know the light is on at the end of the tunnel, sometimes you think it’s gone off and everyone has forgotten you.

“But you need to move on and get back out there. Your optimism of youth is not there and there are a lot more hazards to deal with. If you want revenge, be happy.”

Bovey was linked to Zoe de Mallet Morgan at the time of the split but Anthea has admitted that therapy sessions have helped her to forgive.

She said: “I feel if you harbour bad feelings, you hurt yourself more than anybody else.

“You have to let go because you are only damaging yourself. Women are terrible at it, men are much better. We harbour rubbish. Get rid of it.”

Anthea confirmed that she is now seeing former banker David Yarrow, 49, who she met through mutual friends late last year.

She said: “It has taken a couple of years to get back into dating but I’ve had to hold my nose and jump right back in it.

“It has been worth it. I’m seeing someone who I am fond of. I don’t think I’m more confident than I was in my 20s. I’m still a mess.”