I don’t know how much I buy into the cycle of abuse theory. There probably is a lot of truth to it, but I haven’t examined it closely.

It is interesting to note, however, that very credible evidence exists that Nick Carter was sexually abused for years as a teenager by his promoter Lou Pearlman.

Other boy band singers have made similar allegations against Pearlman, who died just as the revelations were beginning to reach a high tide.

This does not of course excuse Nick of any sort of abusive behavior. But it is tragic to note how it might all have got started.