ITV star Martin Lewis admits 'it was hard' as he recalls family heartbreak

star made a rare family admission during Tuesday's instalment of

It comes after hosts and questioned whether or not there's still a 'wicked' stepmother stigma.

Dermot added: "A popular villain in most fairytales, researchers feel that some single mums are so concerned about being tainted with the same brush it puts them off dating entirely."

During the discussion, the money-saving expert decided to share his views on the matter, having had a stepmother himself when he was a teenager.

Martin said: "My stepmother joined us in 1986, when I was 14. The stereotype wasn't the issue.

"The issue was, I had a stepmother joining me when I was still in terrible grief of the loss of my mother."

The 52-year-old told Alison and Dermot that his stepmother had done everything right in the situation and it was his own feelings on the matter.

He said: "There was nothing she could've done that would've made me want her to be there because of the reason she was there and the great difficulties. I remember when she took down some of our family photos."

Martin expressed he now understands how difficult it would've been for his stepmother at the time, although at 14 years old he found it tough.

He added: "I get on well with my stepmum now and she's still in my life, I have a wonderful half-sister and it's all fantastic.

The ITV star told Alison and Dermot that often the conversation surrounds the stepparent, with the children being overlooked.

Martin continued: "There are children involved and not all about the step-parents are on both sides, we were one family. We were with my dad because we lost my mum.

"It was very hard for my stepmother, but it was very hard to have a stepmother too, at 14, suffering from post-traumatic stress and grief.

"My stepmother done the best job that she could and we get on very well now but I didn't want her there and I didn't like her being there, I think that's perfectly understandable at the time."

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