An ever-thickening plot that began with the shocking revelations of Nigella’s drug habits has taken yet another turn, as the TV chef reveals that former husband, Charles Saatchi, strangled her in a jealous rage.

Before yesterday, it was suspected that Saatchi’s throat-grab was a reaction to her drug habits, and that he wanted to check her nose for traces of cocaine. “‘He told everyone he had been taking cocaine out of my nose in Scott’s – when that is a lie.” Nigella said in her court appearance yesterday.

I will tell you what happened. Someone walked by with a very sweet baby in a stroller, and I said, ‘I’m so looking forward to having grandchildren.’ And he grabbed me by the throat and said: ‘I’m the only person you should be concerned with – I’m the only person who should be giving you pleasure.’

Nigella also came clean about her various drug habits. She admitted to occasional cocaine and marijuana use, but insisted that she never had a drug problem. Rather, she believed she had a “life problem”.

When asked whether or not she had been, or is still a cocaine user, Nigella replied that:

I have never been a drug addict. I have never been a habitual user. But there were times in my life when I used cocaine.

However, the chef told the jury that taking cocaine with her late husband, John Diamond, who died in 2001, ‘gave him some escape’ from his illness.

She also came forward with the truth about her dope-smoking habits, admitting she had used marijuana this year to help cope with a “summer of abuse”. She also admitted to smoking joints in front of the children, as well as having a late night spliff to help her sleep. But she repeatedly denied ever being “off her head” with drugs.

[Source : Channel 24, Daily Mail]