A POP star and influencer has given Bradford youngsters advice on their mental health and social media and says she cannot wait to return to the city.

Eleni C, who has supported girl band Little Mix on tour, is also a mental health influencer to students at school, and has toured the country, including Bradford, sharing to students how playing/performing music can help those who are struggling.

One of her stops before the pandemic hit last year was Bradford and included a visit to talk to students at Bradford Academy and Co-op Academy Grange.

Eleni also spoke about the content people post on social media sites, including pictures on Instagram, saying they do not always tell the entire story about what is going on in someone's life.

She also gets to talk to students, usually aged between 12 and 19, about the pressures of regularly posting on social media and other subjects affecting teens including peer pressure.

She said: "I get asked about my social media. I try to make students I speak to aware that social media is just one aspect of my life. It's part of the job that I do.

"You should not take social media as everything.

"People who have a high profile on places like Instagram use it as a filter of their lives. For me it's half of their lives.

"When I was growing up I wanted to be a singer, but I always had a very strong passion for mental health.

"Having a strong mental health is the key to succeed in life. I admire the kids that are growing up right now. The pressure they have growing up is a lot more than I had. We had social media when I was growing up, but not to the extent it is now.

"I want to make sure people reach out for advice on mental health and get pointed in the right direction."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Pop star and influencer Eleni C Pop star and influencer Eleni C

Eleni, who is from London, added she is looking forward to return to Bradford to speak to more students from the city once the restrictions allow.

She said: "I keep getting messages from students saying 'when am I going to come back?'

I visited so many schools in my tour, but the ones in Bradford stuck in my mind. The pupils were so lovely. Some of the girls I spoke to in Bradford wanted to get into music

"I am passionate about what I do.

"Bradford is different to London. Growing up in London, I am used to a fast pace. For me, when I went to Bradford it was obviously not my home town and I felt like a tourist.

"I just wanted more time to explore the area. There is a different culture in Bradford."

Eleni also with several national and international charities and aims to create her own legacy by changing, one school at a time, the way young people come to understand, discuss and safeguard their mental health.

Her new single, Tug of War, is out on February 12.