Sarah Symonds, now 56, has spoken out about the profound and lasting impact of her decision to become an escort at age 22, warning that what initially appeared to be a path to glamour and financial freedom ultimately led to feelings of dehumanization, anxiety, depression, and difficulty forming stable relationships. Her candid reflections are driven by concern over the growing popularity of online platforms like OnlyFans and other content creation forums, which she believes can lure young women into a dangerous misconception of sex work as a simple, consequence-free endeavor.
Symonds recounted her first paid sexual encounter in Abu Dhabi, where she had moved from South Wales. Initially captivated by the perceived glamour and financial opportunities of the desert city, she accepted approximately £400 from a client after leaving a family gathering. At the time, she viewed it as a simple transaction, unaware of the life-altering trajectory it would set her upon. Over the next decade, she engaged in escort work with hundreds of men in the Middle East and London, at times feeling empowered but often experiencing self-loathing and a sense of being treated as a commodity.
"I just wish I could have seen the long-term damage on so many levels," Symonds stated. "After being treated as a commodity, I saw it as the norm." She described the money earned as a "double-edged sword," with spending habits necessitating continued work. Despite outward appearances of a glamorous life, involving parties on yachts and desert villas, she often felt vulnerable and dealt with moments of fear, including an incident where a client displayed a knife.
Symonds believes her early experiences in Abu Dhabi, where she felt out of place and received attention she had not experienced in Wales, significantly skewed her moral compass. She noted that while she received substantial earnings, they were quickly spent on designer goods, creating a cycle of needing more.
After returning to the UK in 1996, Symonds continued escort work in London. During this period, she also became known for claims of affairs with public figures, including politician Jeffrey Archer and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. While Ramsay has denied the affair, and her claims have not been substantiated, Symonds now sees a connection between her escorting past and her role as a perceived "other woman," suggesting it stemmed from a feeling of not deserving more.
In 2012, Symonds returned to Wales permanently. Away from the high-paced lifestyle she had maintained for years, she faced personal challenges, including the failure of a reality TV concept and a battle with alcoholism, which she has since overcome. More recently, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy, and now requires lifelong medication for adrenal insufficiency. Despite past relationships, she feels unable to function in conventional partnerships and has found a sense of peace in her current quiet life, caring for her elderly father and rescue dogs.
"I won't lie. There were a lot of thrills, excitement, rollercoaster times back then - but the good did not outweigh the bad, or the long-term damage," Symonds concluded. "I hope young women can read my story and realise that a lot of what they mistake for happiness - including money and glamour - is just an illusion."