Danielle: My lover beat me to a pulp

MODEL DANIELLE LLOYD has told how she was beaten by a violent ex-boyfriend — just like pop star RIHANNA.

And she has bravely released this picture of her battered face in a bid to help other victims of domestic abuse.

The former Miss Great Britain is almost unrecognisable with a black eye, broken cheekbone and gashed, swollen lips.

Danielle, 25, took it on her mobile after being beaten to a pulp by her partner, who locked her in a torturous relationship for TWO YEARS.

She decided to speak out a week after a photo was leaked of singer Rihanna’s bruised face following a row with boyfriend CHRIS BROWN.

Rapper Brown has since apologised and the pair are back together.

Danielle said last night: -It saddens me to read about violent relationships. I’d advise any woman not to return to an abusive partner.

The model has made a documentary called Dangerous Love — A Comic Relief Special, which goes out on BBC3 tonight at 9pm.

She said she hopes she can stop other girls going through the same thing.

Trauma

Shock figures reveal that an incident of domestic violence is reported EVERY MINUTE.

One in four women will be victims — and an average of two are killed every week.

Danielle thought her unemployed boyfriend "a lovely, generous person" when they met.

But soon his controlling side appeared and she found herself cut off from all her friends.

She said: -He’d call me a slag. Soon he started hitting me.

Every time, he’d cry and say it wouldn’t happen again. Towards the end he was hitting me near enough every day.

The abuse happened before Danielle returned to modelling, won Miss Great Britain and began dating footballer Teddy Sheringham.

After the final attack, Danielle woke up with blood all over me, all over the bed, all over the walls.

She added: -I’d been out cold for three or four minutes.

Danielle spent a week in hospital.

Both the BBC and The Sun have taken the decision not to name her ex.