Rachel Stevens opens up on ‘painful’ marriage split

Rachel Stevens has spoken about her "really painful" marriage split, admitting she has had offers of dates already – but can't face a new relationship yet.

The S Club 7 star announced she had broken up with husband of 12 years, Alex Bourne, in July last year, but has only just moved out of their home with their two young daughters, Amelie, 12, and Minnie, eight.

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Speaking to The Sun, she described how it had been one of the most difficult points in her life as she tried to make sure her daughters didn't suffer in the same way that she did when her own parents split.

Stevens, 44, said: "It’s very hard to articulate the feelings, because there are so many. It’s been really painful, really sad. It’s been the biggest decision to make in our lives, obviously, with our kids."

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But she added: "Our split is very amicable and that’s really helping. It’s only the last two weeks that we’ve not been living together. That was definitely difficult. We’re doing it with love and respect, but it’s a process."

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The singer's parents divorced when she was 17, which she said had a huge effect on her, but that she had been guided through her own split by a therapist who she started seeing years earlier.

Stevens also admitted that she has had "a few" offers of dates already, but said that she was not ready to begin dating again having just moved into her own home two weeks ago.

Asked whether anyone had approached her, she said: "Yeah, there’s been a few. But no, I’m not ready to start dating. I’ve got enough going on for now. But I love love. I’m the soppiest person. We should be happy to be in love and deserve all the great things in life."

She also has plenty coming up in terms of work, as S Club 7 have announced they are reuniting for an 11-date UK tour.