‘For the people left behind’: Nova breakfast newsreader Abbey Smith’s brave on-air moment

Abbey Smith has emotionally opened up about the death of her first boyfriend when she was just a teen – with a message for others struggling. See the video.

Nova newsreader Abbey Smith has bravely spoken about the loss of her first love in an on-air segment. Picture: Supplied

Nova 91.9 newsreader Abbey Smith has bravely shared a breathtaking story of heartbreak on-air, revealing her first true love tragically took his own life when she was just a teenager.

In a segment commemorating International Women’s Day, Smith and breakfast host Jodie Oddy penned letters to their 13-year-old selves.

Co-hosts Oddy and Andrew Hayes were emotional within seconds of Smith’s letter, as she told how she was forced to navigate unimaginable grief aged just 17.

“To dear 13-year-old Abbey – strap yourself in little miss, it’s going to be a bumpy ride,” Smith said.

“You’re a bit of a late bloomer, but I promise when you do finally find the things that make you feel alive, you’ll thrive.”

Smith, now 33, audibly choked up as she told of how her first boyfriend took his own life 16 years ago.

“In a few years time you’ll meet a boy who’ll be the first person in the world you’ll love more than just a friend. He’ll make you cry with laughter, he’ll be fun and silly and make you think about the world in a different way,” she said.

“But he’ll decide that this world isn’t where he wants to stay and you’ll spend the next 20 years asking yourself what could you have done to make him stay.

“Grief is not linear, you won’t just wake up one morning and be okay without him.

“You’ll cry a lot, you’ll be really angry and the pain will make it really hard to open yourself up to love in the future.

“But don’t close yourself off. We all have different pathways and maybe in this life you’ll find your person, get married and have kids … or maybe you’ll just have heaps of sausage dogs and a really, really big wardrobe.”

A vocal mental health advocate, Smith said she “never really talked about” her story – but shared it in the hopes of helping others who have been affected by suicide.

“You think that you’re over it and that you’re fine … but I’ve recently gone back to therapy and realised it’s something you’ll never actually completely deal with,” she said.

Jodie Oddy also opened up about her body battles, past loves and “work saviour” – co-host Andrew Hayes. Picture: Emma Brasier

“Anyone out there listening – if you’re struggling, call and get some help. For the people left behind, it’s really, really tough.”

Both Oddy and Smith also opened up about her weight journeys, with powerful messages for young women struggling with their bodies.

“Your worth is not defined by the number on the scale and the size of your clothes – and while we’re at it, fat is not an insult, and it says more about them than you,” she said.

“Work out because it makes you feel good, not because you’re told to, eat well because you want to feel good, not because you’re forced to.

“”You will learn what you think is what you attract, and when you figure this out, my darling, my goodness you’re a scary force to be reckoned with.

“Be kind, leave a legacy behind that people remember – because you had a smile on your face and did what you could for the person less fortunate than you.

“Most of all, please, please, please forgive yourself and decide much sooner in life to love yourself – it will make your life much easier.”

Oddy echoed Smith’s words, revealing her battles over her own body image – and emotional tributes to her children, past loves and co-host Andrew Hayes, her “work saviour”.

“Be nicer to your body. You’re going to spend your days telling yourself you’re not thin enough or not pretty enough, and then you’re going to hit your 40s and feel like a total moron for berating yourself every single day for 20 years,” she said.

“You’re going to have four of the most beautiful girls you could ever imagine … hug them and love them hard, because you will never do anything more worthwhile in your life.

“You’re going to meet some men and the first couple will almost break you – but hang in there … those men don’t define who you are, and you’ll eventually find your forever person.

“The other guy you’ll meet will be your work saviour. He will become one of your best friends and make you laugh everyday, and he’ll never understand how grateful you are for him.”