Life has a peculiar way of rewriting our stories when we least expect it. For Rachel Stevens, former S Club 7 star, the past couple of years have been nothing short of transformative — though perhaps not in ways anyone might have predicted.
At 47, Stevens finds herself navigating entirely new waters. The dissolution of her 13-year marriage to Alex Bourne in 2022 marked the beginning of what she calls a period of profound change. “It’s like jumping off a cliff,” she shared during a particularly raw moment on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour. The metaphor feels apt — after all, ending a marriage isn’t just about two people going their separate ways.
The ripple effects touched every aspect of her world. There’s the family home — sold. The friendship circles — shifted. And most importantly, her daughters Amelie, 14, and Minnie, 11, adjusting to their new normal. “You’re changing your life,” Stevens reflects, her voice carrying the weight of someone who’s walked through fire and emerged changed, but intact.
Yet sometimes life throws you a curveball of the sweeter variety. Enter Brendyn Hatfield, the Dancing On Ice professional who skated right into Stevens’ life when she least expected it. Their partnership, which blossomed into romance by November 2023, evolved with the kind of careful consideration that speaks volumes about Stevens’ priorities. “We’ve just been really mindful and thoughtful of everyone involved,” she notes — words that carry extra meaning in the context of blended families and public scrutiny.
But amid these personal shifts, tragedy struck. The sudden loss of Paul Cattermole in April 2023 sent shockwaves through the pop community. His passing, just two months after S Club’s reunion announcement, left an irreparable hole in the fabric of the band’s shared history. The timing felt cruel — a stark reminder that life rarely follows our carefully laid plans.
What followed speaks volumes about the healing power of collective grief. The band’s decision to seek group therapy wasn’t just about processing loss; it became a testament to the strength found in vulnerability. “Talking is just the best thing ever,” Stevens shares, her words carrying the simple truth often forgotten in times of crisis.
The Good Times Tour — renamed in Paul’s memory — transformed into something far more meaningful than a simple reunion. Between the bright lights and familiar choruses, band members found spaces to grieve together, to remember, to heal. “It gave us a chance to share all our amazing memories of him,” Stevens recalls, her words painting pictures of backstage moments where tears and laughter mingled freely.
These days, Stevens embodies a truth many women discover too late: self-care isn’t selfish. “We often feel we need to be everything for everyone else,” she muses, touching on a universal chord that resonates particularly with mothers. “But actually, I need to fill my own cup first.” It’s the kind of wisdom that comes only through living, through falling, through rising again.
Her journey — marked by endings and beginnings, loss and discovery — reads less like a celebrity headline and more like a masterclass in resilience. Through it all, Stevens hasn’t just survived change; she’s embraced it, reshaped it, made it her own. In doing so, she’s reminded us all that sometimes the most beautiful chapters come after the ones we never wanted to read.
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