Rachel Stevens on grief after S Club bandmate's death – and unexpected way she began to heal
In an emotional new interview with Rachel, who turned 47 this week, sits down with us to reflect on the heartbreaking loss of Paul, who passed away suddenly in April 2023 from heart failure, aged just 46. His shocking death came just months before S Club were set to embark on a highly-anticipated reunion tour to celebrate 25 years since the pop group's debut. Speaking candidly, Rachel says the experience of performing with the group again – rebranded as The Good Times Tour in Paul's honour – became a powerful part of her grieving process.
'It was amazing to have the tour and be able to celebrate him,' she shares, 'It gave us a chance to grieve and to grieve together as well, which was special, and share all our amazing memories of him. It was really healing.'
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Rachel, who rose to fame in the late '90s with S Club 7's catchy chart-topping hits and feel good pop anthems, admits she's only recently become more comfortable opening up about grief – and has leaned on therapy to support her through the huge life changes of the past few years.
Alongside Paul's tragic passing, Rachel went through a divorce from ex-husband Alex Bourne, the father of her daughters Amelie, 14, and Minnie, 11, in 2022. The family moved home, and Rachel's been focused on rebuilding a new life for herself and her girls.
'My life has changed hugely over the last few years,' she reflects. 'With divorce, moving, selling our family home, my life has really taken a whole new direction.'
As she discusses her emotional growth, Rachel credits regular therapy – and the people closest to her – with helping her rediscover her voice and resilience. 'The thing I've learnt is to give yourself space for how you feel and to be kind to yourself about it and to talk to people,' she says
Now in a happy relationship with professional ice skater Brendyn Hatfield, Rachel is embracing a slower, more grounded pace of life, focussed on family, self-care and creating new routines. From carving out time for solo moments and date nights, to nurturing her daughters through their teenage years, Rachel says she's finally starting to feel more in tune with who she really is.
'There's lots of navigating, lots of change and new experiences,' she explains. 'But I'm honestly just trying to be the best mum I can be at this point. I want to give [the girls] the opportunity to express how they feel things are working – and know they have a voice and that they're heard.'
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