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Michelle Heaton returns to stage with Liberty X after overcoming alcohol addiction

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 09: Michelle Heaton attends the National Television Awards 2021 at The O2 Arena on September 9, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Michelle Heaton, pictured at the NTAS 2021, is touring with Liberty X again. (Getty Images)

Michelle Heaton has shared a picture of herself looking fit and healthy as she returned to the stage with Liberty X just months after leaving rehab for alcohol addiction.

The 42-year-old Just A Little singer posted a photograph on Instagram of herself smiling and glowing in studded hotpants and fishnet tights alongside bandmates Jessica Taylor and Kelli Young.

Heaton captioned the image: "Here we go!"

Watch: Michelle Heaton opens up about alcohol addiction

The band – who found fame in 2001 as the runners-up of ITV singing talent show Popstars – have reunited as part of the 90s Baby concert tour.

Read more: Michelle Heaton apologises on Lorraine for secretly drinking before interviews

Just last week Heaton shared a shocking picture of her "ruined" face taken in April before she entered The Priory to be treated for alcohol addiction.

She appeared on ITV's Lorraine discussing her addiction and Dr Niall Campbell, a consultant psychiatrist at The Priory, told her: "I don’t quite know how you were still alive."

Michelle Heaton shared a picture of her 'ruined' face taken in April this year. (Instagram)
Michelle Heaton shared a picture of her 'ruined' face taken in April this year. (Instagram)

He went on: "Your liver function test was terrible. You had alcoholic hepatitis, you were heading towards cirrhosis, that’s permanent. And one of the enzymes that we measured, gamma GT, should be about 50. Yours was 2,053."

Heaton left rehab in May after seeking help for a drink and drug addiction she had been battling in secret for three years.

The singer – who appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2009 – is mother to nine-year-old daughter Faith and seven-year-old son AJ, who she shares with her Irish businessman husband of 11 years, Hugh Hanley.

Tony Lundon, Jessica Taylor, Michelle Heaton, Kelli Young and Kevin Simm of Liberty X (Photo by J. Quinton/WireImage)
Michelle Heaton, centre, with Liberty X bandmates Tony Lundon, Jessica Taylor, Kelli Young and Kevin Simm in 2005. (Getty Images)

Hanley revealed earlier this year: "Four days before going to the Priory she had a very bad fit in bed at 2am. She wouldn’t stop shaking and her mouth was drooling. That was scary and it really spooked her.

Her skin was also changing colour and she hadn’t eaten for days. Things had got so bad there was no way out. She was told in September 2020, with her liver the way it was, she was going to die if she did nothing about it."

The couple said that by April this year, Heaton was constantly vomiting and on the toilet, and while she was skinny her liver was visibly protruding.

Michelle Heaton and husband Hugh Hanley in November 2019 when the singer was hiding her addiction. (Getty Images)
Michelle Heaton and husband Hugh Hanley in November 2019, when the singer was hiding her addiction. (Getty Images)

Heaton added: "I also wasn’t washing for days and my hair was falling out and had become very thin because of the alcohol abuse and hormones. I’d gone down to 7st 13lb. My body was shutting down and couldn’t function without the alcohol."

Read more: Michelle Heaton opens up on scary near-death experience in days before rehab

As well as suffering dramatic weight-loss as a result of her alcohol abuse, she must take medication to account for the lack of function in her pancreas and has been left with terrible bowel issues.

Heaton underwent a double mastectomy and hysterectomy after she was diagnosed in 2012 with the BRCA2 gene, giving her an 80% chance of developing breast cancer.

Watch: Michelle Heaton praised by husband Hugh Hanley