Alex Best has got used to being a hate figure. The ex-wife of football superstar George says fans couldn't blame him for wasting his life so they blamed her instead.
Despite giving him financial support, nursing him through liver failure, and watching him turn to booze again after a transplant Alex was never forgiven for divorcing the former footballer. But the glamourous 41-year-old says she's come to terms with the fans' perception of her and battled to build her own life again. "I think I got a hard time," says Alex.
"All I ever did was try and help him and be a supportive wife. He chose the path to carry on drinking. I got the blame for it. "I suppose the legend will always be the legend and I'm always going to be part of it.
"I have nothing to hide and people know me for who I am." Alex was in Belfast last week to open a new Peacocks and Herrons Country Fried Chicken outlet at the Kennedy Centre.
The former air hostess opened up during preparations for the event at Zuni hair salon about life since George she admits her life feels like it's been lived back to front. "I got married very young and had a comfortable family life. Now I'm single and going out more than I ever did when I was in my twenties.
"I feel like I've lived my life in reverse. I can't see myself having children now - I would have wanted them in my twenties and so many of my friends are going through IVF now. "But I do miss having a partner," says Alex.
Platonic
Since George's death in 2005 she has grown closer to his first wife Angie and son Calum, and found a new pal in former MP Lembit Opik. The pair were appearing together at an event i n Enniskillen last week and she says it's purely platonic.
"We did Coach Trip together and we've known each other for years. It's an opportunity for him to get back home and I love coming back. "He's very funny and he's lovely, but I'm single.
"I was with someone for eight years but it didn't work out and I don't want to jump into another relationship," says Alex. Calum has put many of his demons behind him after fears that his playboy lifestyle was leading him down the same path as his father.
He's begun to turn his life around and working with other children of alcoholics has been a key part of his progress. "Calum is in a fitness phase; he's always in the gym and boxing. He's in a really good place at the moment," says Alex. "He does a lot of work with a charity supporting the children of alcoholics and he's grown up into a really sensible young man. We keep in contact regularly and it's lovely to see the progress he's made."
Even though it's eight years since George's death and nine since their divorce Alex says it's a part of her life which will never leave her, and she has no regrets about any of it.
"It came down to George being able to help himself. I tried to do so much and so did his family and his friends.We gave him the groundwork and it was up to him but if someone doesn't want to help themselves there's nothing you can do." And some of the happiest memories of their marriage are from their time in Northern Ireland.
When she married George in 1995 he was almost broke and his star had well and truly waned. However she was young and in love and when George decided in 2000 that he wanted to come home his young bride agreed.
"It was a big move, away from my family and friends, from Chelsea to Portavogie. But it was lovely. We had such a lovely time going to antique shops and fixing up our home. That was a very special time," says Alex.
Passion
And it's memories of her best friend here which move Alex to tears. Pal Colin Angus died in a car accident in December 2008 and his loss is still keenly felt. "He was the first friend I made here. I met him walking our dogs and I still miss him," she says.
The next chapter of her life is opening an interiors shop in Wimbledon in London with a pal, indulging a passion Alex has had for years. "We'll be restoring furniture and selling things for the home, keeping it local, with a shabby chic look. I'll be hands on fixing up the furniture and I can't wait to get started.
"I just want to have a nice quiet life and meet a nice man," says Alex.