Penny Lancaster has opened up about her "struggles" growing up, revealing she was bullied for her height and that a teacher told her she "wouldn't make anything" of herself.

The model and TV star - who is married to singer Rod Stewart - has dyslexia but it was not diagnosed when she was at school.

Speaking to Anita Rani on her My Life At Christmas show on Sunday (December 7), she admitted that she was "sort of dismissed", reports the Mirror.

Anita asked the star if it was her height that she was bullied for. "It was," Penny replied.

She went on: "Well, the thing is, there was a few bumps in the road to begin with because at school I was too skinny. So I've always struggled with my weight, with the sort of body image, I suppose. But at school, I went undiagnosed with dyslexia. So I had real struggles learning because I learned differently. And I was told by a teacher that I wouldn't make anything of myself."

She continued: "And we all know now that it's actually a skill set because you're always coming up against obstacles and barriers. But we learn to go under them, over them, around them. So actually, we tackle problems not just head-on, but from a different perspective. So we're great problem solvers.

"And we learn to understand and have empathy for other people because of the challenges we face. So actually, it's a gift.

"But there wasn't any understanding of how people can learn just as well, if not better, but just in a different way. Because it was just one way only. So I was sort of dismissed."

She continued: "So I always wondered, well, if I can't pass exams, then I'm not going to get a job. And if I can't get a job, then how am I going to pay the bills?"

Despite her concerns, Penny found success in the modelling industry.

She explained: "A careers teacher said, 'Well, let's look at what else you have to offer. You're tall.' But like you said, I was bullied for being tall. So I didn't think that was a good thing. But it's, you know, modelling, of course, it's good. And I was very skinny. So it's been like a natural path. At least I could give that a go."

Penny and Rod crossed paths in 1998 and exchanged vows in 2007.

The couple shared with Anita that after their initial meeting, Rod offered to assist Penny with her emerging photography career, prompting her to share her contact details with his bass player.

The bassist sensed a connection between them, but given that Rod was in the midst of a divorce from Rachel Hunter, he felt it wasn't the right moment for him to pursue a new relationship. Consequently, he withheld Penny's number from Rod. He promised to hand over the number when he deemed Rod ready, which he eventually did.

The bass player's subsequent appearance on Anita's show moved Penny to tears.

"Rod, I'm so glad that I held Penny's phone number back from you until the time was right, even though you kept praying to me for it," he said. "But thankfully it worked."

My Life At Christmas with Anita Rani airs on BBC One.