Young mum Samantha Haysom had become a virtual recluse after she was raped and left scarred for life by two armed maniacs.

But today she opened her heart and told The Gazette: "Jodie saved my life."

Blackpool singer Jodie – who is now wowing TV audiences in the hit BBC show I'd Do Anything, where she is vying for the coveted West End role of Nancy in Oliver! – helped Sam put her life back on track.

Blackpool girl Jodie is BBC favourite

See Jodie's audition here

Sam, from Marton, explained: "It may sound dramatic, but Jodie gave my children their mum back, my husband his wife and my family the old Sam."

Jodie, 28, of Newton Drive, Blackpool, befriended Sam, 30, following the horrific attack in North Shore in 2002 when she was slashed with a screwdriver.

"I was just existing, going through the motions of every day, and Jodie made me want to live again," Sam explained.

"She helped me to release the pain that had built up inside, she gave up her time to help me become myself again. I can never thank her enough."

Sam was convinced she was going to die during the attack – which happened just a few doors from her then home. She was dragged into an alleyway off Lord Street where she was attacked and raped.

Sam said: "I was hit over the head with a brick and stabbed with a screwdriver.

"My face and body were slashed. I could feel the blood gushing, I thought they had slashed my throat. It was like a terrible dream."
The attackers have never been caught.

In the months and years following the assault she has lived with both physical and psychological effects.

She has suffered a stroke, developed epilepsy and a previous slight allergy to nuts has escalated into life-threatening anaphylaxis, even a simple Snickers bar could kill her.

The year after the attack she met her husband Antony, 30. Despite marriage and the birth of her second son, who is now two, Sam suffered deep depression.

"I was at rock bottom, when an e-mail from Jodie changed it all.

"She had been at college with my sister Georgina, and when she won the Biggest Loser (slimming competition) in 2006 my sister sent a round-robin e-mail to everyone.

"Knowing what had happened to me, Jodie saw my e-mail address and e-mailed me out of the blue. It was the nicest e-mail and I just burst into tears. She said she had been thinking about me.

"She said that anyone who had survived what I had been through deserved to be looked up to.

"She was running weight-loss weekends at the time and said 'You are coming away'. She sent me so much warmth, so much love."

Jodie treated Sam to a three night weekend away, in a group of girls.

Sam added: "Jodie is always helping others, making dreams come true, now she deserves to have her dream come true.

"She is the kindest, most generous and talented person you could meet."

Sam has started a Facebook page in support of Jodie's bid for Nancy stardom and is planning to flood Blackpool with Vote Jodie posters.

"I know she doesn't want thanks, but now it's my turn to do something for her," Sam added.

Jodie's mum, Madeleine, said that her daughter's kindness to Sam was typical of her.

"I know Sam has a very sad story, but Jodie never goes into detail about other people's personal lives.

"I am getting so many calls from people telling me how Jodie has helped them, it's making me quite emotional. It's like another leaf of her life unfolding."