Louise Redknapp, 44, has finally spoken out about the issues that arose in her marriage to Jamie Redknapp, 45. The pair officially divorced in 2017, following Louise’s stint on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016. The former Eternal band member was partnered up with Kevin Clifton on the 14th series of the BBC show, reaching the finals due to her impressive routines. However, Louise recently put an end to those rumours in an interview with You Magazine, citing her lack of “passion” as one of the main causes of the dissolution.
Accepting responsibility for her role in their struggles as a couple, the singer explained that taking part in the BBC dance competition unveiled ambitions that she had previously suppressed.
She revealed: “For 21 years, I was in a secure marriage. You know, through good times and bad times.
“A lot of those 21 years were incredible. And there were moments in those 21 years when I was sad. Not due to Jamie. Most of it due to me.”
Louise continued to explain that Strictly opened up opportunities for her that she assumed were no longer possible.
She added: “I just didn’t think it would ever happen for me. I am pleased I did Strictly, because without it I think I wouldn’t have had the courage. Any woman who’s hit her 40s will understand that.”
Referencing her marriage to the former footballer, she admitted: “But I don’t blame Jamie. I wish, three years ago, I’d been able to just speak up. For a long time it was easy to blame him.
“But actually, in the past six months, I’ve thought, you know what, it was down to me to say, ‘Something’s not right. My self-esteem is really struggling. I’ve got no passion.’
“I just didn’t speak up. I don’t blame anyone else for that. I wish I’d just gone, “Right, the kids are getting older, and I love my job and I’m going to give it a real go, and Jamie, if you don’t like it, tough. But if you do like it, let’s talk about it.”’
Louise also took the opportunity to address reports that she is planning on getting back together with her ex-husband.
She explained that although a reunion with Jamie isn’t on the cards, that they are on good terms and are focussing on being a strong parenting team for their children, Beau, 10 and Charley, 14.
The songwriter praised Jamie’s skills as a father, sharing that they always agree on matters concerning their two sons.
However, she did admit to worrying about what the future holds in both her career and personal life, in spite of “positive” developments in her current friendship with Jamie.
Louise is currently promoting her new album Heavy Love and will be embarking on an 11-date UK tour next year.
She recently caused a stir amongst her fans with a sultry music video for her new single Stretch, which showed her flaunting her flexibility with a topless male dancer.
The hitmaker paid tribute to her model co-star in an Instagram story yesterday with a racy snap of the pair working together on set.
The two were pictured in a cosy pose, with the singer’s shirt falling away from her shoulder as she glanced towards the camera.
Louise captioned the saucy throwback post: “#TBT TO THE MAIN MAN @tiaank07 on the set of my new video, Stretch!