EXCLUSIVE: Tamara Ecclestone opens up on her devastating split from cheating boyfriend Omar Khyami

By
Louise Saunders

10:35 EST, 26 October 2012


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10:59 EST, 26 October 2012

She’s suffered more than her fair share of heartache this year alone after being the subject of a terrifying kidnap plot and splitting from her long-term love.

But Tamara Ecclestone has now opened up about finding out her boyfriend of two-and-a-half years, Omar Khyami, had cheated on her, admitting she had a ‘lucky escape’ from the relationship.

The 28-year-old daughter of Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone explained she is enjoying being single for the first time in her adult life, and truly believes the break-up happened for a reason.

Moving on: Tamara - who is launching Xperia Face Off from Sony - admitted she had a 'lucky escape' from her cheating ex-boyfriend, Omar Khyami

Moving on: Tamara – who is launching Xperia Face Off from Sony – admitted she had a ‘lucky escape’ from her cheating ex-boyfriend, Omar Khyami

In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, Tamara said: ‘I’m feeling really good right now, it was a really horrible time and it was really, really hard. Sometimes I don’t think you realise how strong you are until you get put in that sort of situation.

‘As cheesy as it sounds, I think everything happens for a reason. My dad said to me recently, “Tamara, you had a lucky escape. You weren’t married, you didn’t have children. There’s a bigger, better plan out there for you.” That’s kind of how I’m looking at things now.’

Despite the explosive way the relationship ended – with Tamara discovering a sordid sex tape featuring the 38-year-old businessman – the brunette beauty doesn’t regret the long-term romance at all.

She added: ‘I did have a lucky escape. Definitely. I don’t regret the relationship, I think I’m the kind of person who wants to fix people sometimes, and that’s not really a healthy way to be. People have to want to change for themselves.

'Feeling good: The 28-year-old heiress has now taken on a philosophical approach to her former relationship, and thinks the split happened for a reason

‘Feeling good: The 28-year-old heiress has now taken on a philosophical approach to her former relationship, and thinks the split happened for a reason

‘When I said I thought we’d be together forever, I genuinely meant it. But everything always comes out in the wash eventually.’

But Tamara admitted the way she was forced to watch the tape in front of her parents was a ‘mortifying’ experience.

She told MailOnline: ‘The way I found out was just awful. To have your dad see that. In a way, I actually felt worse for my parents watching that than myself. My mum was crying and my dad is such a strong person and to see him so emotional was awful.

‘I wish I could have protected my parents from it. It was the most awful thing for them to see and it was just mortifying. The way I found out was the worst thing about it.’

In happier times: Tamara dated Omar Khyami for two-and-a-half years before discovering he had cheated on her earlier this year

In happier times: Tamara dated Omar Khyami for two-and-a-half years before discovering he had cheated on her earlier this year

Tamara – who is the ambassador of new Sony interactive car racing game Xperia Face Off – explained although she is not looking for love, she will ‘think more like a man’ when it comes to her next relationship in the hope of protecting herself from future heartache.

She said: ‘My experience hasn’t made me cynical or hating all men, I just think that everything happens for a reason and hopefully the best is yet to come.

Daddy's girl: Tamara is the daughter of Formula One mogul Bernie Ecclestone

Daddy’s girl: Tamara is the daughter of Formula One mogul Bernie Ecclestone

‘I don’t know whether I’ll find it difficult to trust next time around. I think I need to learn to protect myself a little bit more. I usually jump headfirst into a relationship and maybe that’s not always smart.

‘When I get swept off my feet I’m all or nothing. I will definitely take my next relationship more slowly. I’m going to think more like a man.’

The reality star and model is set to
inherite her Formula One mogul father’s £2.6 billion fortune, but she
insisted her fame and fortune are not important to her.

Tamara explained: ‘All the things that
are really important, like health and true love, money can’t buy.
Obviously, I realise I have a privileged life and don’t have the same
worries other people. Once someone betrays you it’s very difficult.
Where you’re from or money isn’t relevant at that time.’

And the star is still is a big believer in
fairytale romance after seeing how happy her younger sister Petra, 23,
is with her husband James Stunt.

She told MailOnline: ‘I look at them and
think it’s really nice to believe in happy ever after. They’re so good
for each other and they bring out the absolute best in each other. I’m
really happy for her.

‘She’s a very settled person for her
age, and she’s so happy. It makes me glad to think there’s a James-type
character out there for everyone. They’re a really lovely couple.’

Tamara is the ambassador of new
interactive car racing game Sony’s Xperia Face Off, and will be playing
against the public on Saturday November 3 at Shop 13 in London’s Truman
Brewery.

She will then be challenging the public online on November 8.

For more information, go to www.sonymobile.com/xperiafaceoff

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EXCLUSIVE: Tamara Ecclestone opens up on her devastating split from cheating boyfriend Omar Khyami