N-Dubz singer seeks advice on mother's mental illness

Tulisa from N-Dubz is not the first celebrity to visit Professor Craddock

A Cardiff University expert offers advice to a young hip hop star in a BBC TV documentary about growing up with a parent suffering from mental illness.

Tulisa Contostavlos from N-Dubz, whose mother suffers from a schizoaffective disorder, visited Professor Nick Craddock who has studied the condition.

"Youngsters living with a parent who suffers from a mental illness can have an extremely difficult time," he says.

Tulisa: My Mum and Me is on BBC Three on Tuesday at 2100 BST.

She visited Cardiff University's School of Medicine in an attempt to understand the hereditary nature of mental illness.

Professor Craddock leads a major study of the causes and triggers of mood and psychotic illnesses, including schizoaffective disorder.

He hopes that the programme, part of the BBC's Adult season, will help others in Tulisa's position.

"Often the stigma can be overwhelming and the upheaval untold," he said.

"By making such an honest and revealing documentary like this, Tulisa's fame can help reach a new and often untouched audience and help break the stigma that can prove so overwhelming for youngsters living with a parent who suffers from mental illness."

Kerry Katona met Professor Craddock to take part in his studies

The N-Dubz singer is not the first celebrity to visit Professor Craddock.

Stephen Fry visited the university's School of Medicine in 2006 to discuss his life with bipolar disorder - also known as manic depression - and to support Professor Craddock's research.

Former Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona also visited him in 2009 to take part in his studies.

Professor Craddock and his team have advised the writers of EastEnders on character Stacey Slater's battle with bipolar disorder.

Speaking during her visit to Cardiff University, Tulisa said: "Mental illness is a part of society.

"It doesn't mean someone's mad, it means they have a problem. It is good to know that people are recognising this and trying to find ways to help."

Tulisa: My Mum and Me is on BBC Three on Tuesday 10 August at 2100 BST - more about the programme