The Saturdays’ Una Healy on why she went straight back to work after having her kids

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As one fifth of the chart-topping band The Saturdays, Una Healy has experienced many highs in her career, including selling over 8 million records, so it’s perhaps not surprising that having her children Aoife and Tadgh did not stop her from working hard.

Speaking to White Wine Question Time, the Irish-born star said she went back to work just weeks after having both her children, because she wanted to make the most of her career.

“I think a lot of people would probably look at that and say, ‘That's way too soon’ and it probably was, but that's just how it was at the time, and as they say you have to make hay while the sun shines,” she told podcast host Kate Thornton.

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The singer, who has a new single out, said she has lots of great memories of performing with The Saturdays while pregnant, and decided quite early on that her children were going to slot in with her life.

“They sort of were born into the group as well,” she laughed. “Rather than adapting my life to them, they just slotted in – and that's just how it always has been!”

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She continued: “I threw myself straight back into it and I know that a lot of people wouldn't agree with that. I made a conscious decision to do that at the time and I don't regret it either.”

Una Healy went back to work when her children were only weeks old, but says she doesn't regret a thing (Image: Getty Images)
Una Healy went back to work when her children were only weeks old, but says she doesn't regret a thing. (Getty Images)

Healy, who split up with her ex-husband Ben Foden in 2018, revealed that there’s one person she couldn’t have done it without – her beloved mum, who helped out with childcare on the road.

“I was very, very, very lucky as my mum was very hands-on and she always has been and still is to this day — I don't know how I would do it without her,” Healy admitted.

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“She came even out to LA when we shot the reality show with E! Channel – Chasing The Saturdays. Aoife was only six months old.”

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 07: Rochelle Humes, Vanessa White, Frankie Sandford, Una Healy and Mollie King of The Saturdays perform onstage during day 3 of British Summer Time Hyde Park presented by Barclaycard at Hyde Park on July 7, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Ollie Millington/WireImage)
Rochelle Humes, Vanessa White, Frankie Sandford, Una Healy and Mollie King of The Saturdays perform onstage at British Summer Time Hyde Park in 2013. (Ollie Millington/WireImage)

While the Irish singer has no regrets about working so soon after having her kids, she says the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have provided her with a great chance to bond with them.

“Staying at home, I did find it was a really good time to really bond, because they say that they grow up so quickly, which they do!” she exclaimed.

“I feel like they look older. I can actually see them growing older every day!”

Hear Una Healy talk about getting over her split with Ben Foden on the latest episode of White Wine Question Time. Listen now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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