The wife of a Rolling Stones legend has praised Strictly Come Dancing for being a ‘wonderful confidence boost’ after their split.
Jo Wood, 70, tied the knot to guitarist Ronnie Wood, 76, in 1985 and stayed married until their divorce in 2009 after meeting in 1977.
The former couple share two children together from their relationship, daughter Leah, 45, and son Tyrone, 40.
“When you read through it there are great similarities, some may say between your own life because it's about a woman who has been married for 30 years, which you were to Ronnie,” she said.
Asked what it was like discovering who she was in the wake of their split, Jo was quick to bring up the impact Strictly had on her.
She explained: “Well, it didn't take too long fortunately because I was offered Strictly Come Dancing and I think for me it was a wonderful confidence boost."
"I had been a wife and mother for all those years and I suddenly was dancing with Brendon”Cole and it really helped me become me again so it didn't take too long.”
Jo added: "The book is about finding yourself and I think so many women go through a break up or lose their husband."
Recalling a recent encounter she had with a close friend, Jo said that her friend questioned if her ‘life was over’ after she split with her husband.
“I said 'no it's not'. Just because you're in your 50s it doesn't mean that your life is over you can still get back out there and I hope she has.
“I sort of thought about all those things when I was writing it and there are things in there that I think are important to do when you become single,” Jo said.
She continued: "Forgiveness, that is very important I think. Forgive yourself and the one that ran off and I think that is very important.
"It's a very tough thing to do but if you mean it, it sets you free because by not forgiving you are tied to that person but by forgiving you let it go."
Quizzed by Christine on if her divorce was ‘something she tackled by herself’, Jo said she was 'fortunate enough’ to have her family of course around her.
