Duchess reveals fears over bankruptcy

THE Duchess of York gave a warts and all interview to Oprah Winfrey yesterday describing her financial situation as "out of control" and how her money worries have pushed her to the brink of bankruptcy.

An apologetic Sarah Ferguson sat down with the US chat show host to explain her side of the cash-for-access scandal that saw her offer to sell an introduction to her ex-husband the Duke of York for 500,000.

The former Royal claimed she initially agreed to see the businessman who wanted meet Andrew because she was trying to get 26,000 for a friend, but was not sure why she asked for the rest of the money.

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The meeting was a sting operation organised by the News of the World, a reporter playing the part of the rich contact.

In the interview screened yesterday she painted a picture of herself as a woman living beyond her means trying to be the "Duchess of York" while her financial position worsened.

The former Royal also appeared to suggest she was fated to be caught out in the sting operation.

"I was so out of my mind. I have to say to you that this has been building up to a crescendo of such spiralling, that I've tried so hard to keep up the treadmill of life," she told Oprah.

"I've been living, trying to be the Duchess of York. (Living) beyond my means? Yes."

Of her money problems she said: "I was out of control with desperation where I'd reached a point of no return."