‘It was heartbreaking but needed,’ Rachel Stevens reveals tear-jerking way she told her kids about divorcing their dad

RACHEL Stevens has revealed the “heartbreaking” decision she had to make when it came to telling her kids she’s divorcing their dad.

Just one month after their 13-year anniversary, the pop icon split from her childhood sweetheart Alex Bourne, 47, in July 2022.

The S Club 7 star, 46, and her ex, who share two daughters Amelie, 12, and Minnie, nine, split just after appearing on ITVs 14th series of Dancing On Ice.

She since formed a relationship with her ice-skating partner Brendyn Hatfield after realising they were more than friends.

But in June this month, Rachel revealed exclusively to The Sun on Sunday’s Fabulous magazine that falling for her Dancing on Ice partner led to a “messy and scary” split from her husband.

Rachel, who released an autobiography called Finding My Voice this year, said: “It was messy.

"I knew that we were growing, that I was growing apart, but I was in turmoil, because, first of all, my kids.”

And on telling Alex about Brendyn, Rachel admitted: “It was really scary, because I knew as soon as I said that, that was it.”

More recently, the singer has revealed how difficult it was to open up to her children about it.

Speaking to Anna Whitehouse on her podcast Dirty Mother Pukka, she said: “It was a really scary moment, and then they had their feelings exactly how I thought they might handle it.

“And it was heartbreaking but it was needed for us to do.

“Then we went to Go Ape in the afternoon, and we thought that was a good idea.

“That’s what we chose to do then. Being outside, having them in nature, doing something physically, knowing that we’re not going anywhere.

“We are your mum and dad and we love you, and this is just what we need right now.”

Rachel described the decision feeling like it was “jumping off a cliff,” as it felt unknown.

It was a really scary moment, and then they had their feelings exactly how I thought they might handle it

Speaking to Anna, she said: “It’s not just the partner you are ending it with, it’s the family, the life you’ve created, your home, it’s like your whole life is about to.

“It’s a scary place but it’s also an incredibly empowering place.

“I think when young, ‘you know what, I need to do.’

“Kids are always going to be your priority but, you have to be the number one priority too in the mix, because you are the one teaching them.

“They are like little sponges, they pick up everything that is going on.

“I feel like. It’s teaching them loving, healthy relationships.”

Since the split, her and her ex-husband, who is a prime real estate agent, have since moved on and she revealed that the kids are “happier” with their parents being “calmer.”

On Instagram, Rachel has given fans a glimpse into her "blended family" with Brendyn by sharing pictures of them out for dinner with each other.

Inside Rachel Steven's love life

Back in the early noughties, Rachel dated Holby City actor Jeremy Edwards.

He popped the question to the singer at The Dorchester, in London just 18 months after dating on Valentine's Day 2002.

However, the couple split in 2004 after the pair agreed to have a break.

After the break-up she dated Gavin Dein, son of former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein - but the relationship did not last long, with the couple splitting up in August 2005.

It wasn't until 2009, when Rachel tied the not with Alex Bourne at Claridge's hotel in London's Mayfair.

The pair met as children, and dated for a short time as teenagers but finally reunited again in their late twenties.

In July 2022 the pair split but remain partners in parenthood to their two daughters.

After appearing on ITV's Dancing On Ice that same year, Rachel and her dance partner Brendyn Hatfield fell for each other and now have a "blended family."