Jemma Pixie Hixon - singer's battle with agoraphobia

Jemma Pixie Hixon's battle with the condition saw her not leave her house for more than eight years.

Now, the singer-songwriter from Malvern is back with her solo single Pull Fear from the Inside.

She is now at the stage where she is beginning to leave her home again.

She said: "I initially set up a YouTube account because my agoraphobia was getting increasingly worse, and I was unable to perform on stage.

"YouTube allowed me to carry on performing from my home. I had no idea so many people would watch my videos."

MUSIC: Jemma Hixon

In 2012 Jemma, now 31, released her debut single "Never Let Go" which became the number-one fast mover on Amazon's UK MP3 downloads.

Having worked to fight her agoraphobia, the singer is now progressively leaving her home.

She added: "Although I still battle daily with severe anxiety and panic attacks, I want to show other sufferers that inner strength and determination can help overcome adversity.

"Recovery isn’t a straight line, there are constant ups and downs.

"Covid made me regress hugely, but I’m determined to keep pushing forward."

At the age of 13, Jemma made her first TV appearance, being crowned winner of BBC One's "The Saturday Show" competition.

Despite being a confident and outgoing performer on-stage, she battled with her mental health for a number of years, dealing with panic attacks and anxiety since the age of six.

MUSIC: Jemma Hixon

This then developed into severe agoraphobia, leaving her housebound for eight years.

Despite this, she carried on making singing videos on YouTube, gaining more than 17 million views.

She added her new single captures her journey cover singer to writing and singing her own music.

To see more of Jemma's music, go to www.youtube.com/channel/UC-hRd7kE7Sd-jEJ3K9kjhCA

"Pull Fear From The Inside" released on April 22.

Her main inspirations The Cure, The Smiths, Britney Spears, Nine Inch Nails, Grimes, FKA Twigs, Bring Me The Horizon, Linkin Park, No Doubt.