Singer Katie Melua has revealed that her disappearance from the public eye was down to a nervous breakdown.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, the singer, who shot to fame at 18 with her debut single 'The Closest Thing to Crazy', said: "I've had a bit of a breakdown and been very unwell. I had to drop out for a bit."
The 26-year-old admitted that it was a "sensitive subject", but explained: "The fact is, I just couldn't go on any longer. I knew there was something seriously wrong because I was just sitting in a chair staring into space."
Melua, who was the biggest-selling British female artist at the time, added: "I was working myself into the ground." Melua was briefly hospitalised as a result of her breakdown, but is now getting back into her music.
She added: "I've eased myself back into work over the last few weeks and I start a European tour next month.
"I am also writing some new songs."
