S Club 7 star Rachel Stevens says falling for Dancing on Ice star led to marriage split

Rachel Stevens has revealed that her relationship with Dancing on Ice star Brendyn Hatfield was the catalyst for her marriage split.

The 45-year-old S Club 7 singer has admitted that her marriage to Alex Bourne, 47, was on the rocks before she joined the ITV ice skating competition but meeting the US ice skating champion on the show was confirmation that it was over with her husband.

Rachel admits in a new interview that she fell in love with Brendyn and it led to a “messy and scary” split from her husband, after they met three years ago. Rachel then announced that her marriage to Alex was over in July 2022 after she had come clean to him about the nature of her feelings for her Dancing On Ice partner.

The singer admitted that it was a difficult time, with the marriage split not being a smooth ride, as they are often not. Rachel 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.”

The moment when Rachel broke the news to Alex that she had feelings for Brendyn and that their marriage had run its course, she said: "It was really scary, because I knew as soon as I said that, that was it.” Despite this, Rachel believes that she made the right decision and describes Brendyn to The Sun on Sunday as a "beautiful human," and that "I really love him.”

Rachel Stevens and Brendyn Hatfield

Rachel Stevens

Back in March, Brendyn shared a rare snap with Rachel as he showed that they were having a sun-kissed holiday together. The pro-skater uploaded the shot to Instagram and wrote: "Having a much needed holiday together with my love. Felt like the last five months have been a blur and it’s been nice to finally stop for a moment and take it all in. Couldn’t have made it through all the chaos without the help of this beautiful soul."

They didn't tell fans exactly where they were, but the skater went on to say: "It’s been so nice to get some sunshine and relaxation in before hitting the ground running on whatever comes next." Sources said a spark quickly appeared between them after their friendship quickly became something more during filming.

Someone close to the S Club singer said: "Rachel had a really great friendship and partnership with Brendyn and it keeps developing. They’re really smitten and looking forward to the future. She wasn’t expecting to find love again at this stage in her life but she’s feeling positive about what’s to come and hopeful about a new start." Rachel was married to Alex for more than a decade and they share two daughters, Amelie, 12, and Minnie, nine.

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