Speaking yesterday, the 44-year-old singer said: “If I’m honest, the last couple of years of my life have been the hardest and I truly believe that the women in my life have got me through days that have been incredibly tough.” Her candid interview on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour comes after her ex-husband, Sky Sports football pundit Jamie, 45, was spotted with British model Lizzie Bowden, 34, over the weekend. She told host Jenni Murray: “Going through a divorce and it being so public, it’s just tough. Nobody can take that easily. It’s not an easy thing for anybody to go through, for men or women, so you rely on friends. Girlfriends have been my rock.”
Louise, who is currently treading the boards at London’s Savoy Theatre in musical 9 To 5, based on the 1980 Dolly Parton film about a group of friends tackling sexism in the workplace, stressed how much she values female solidarity.
“Girlfriends have always been a big part of my life,” she said. “Especially all of mine who have been my friends since we’ve been at school so our friendship is truthful.”
Photos emerged this week of Jamie sharing a taxi with his date after a night out at exclusive restaurant Annabel’s in London’s Mayfair.
Lizzie, who bears a resemblance to Louise, has modelled for high-profile campaigns for high street shops New Look and Wallis.
She has previously dated Rolling Stones star Ronnie Wood’s son Tyrone in 2016, and in 2003 she was linked with fashion designer Dan Macmillan – the great-grandson of former British prime minister Harold Macmillan.
Louise split from former Liverpool footballer Jamie in 2017 and the couple have two sons, Charlie, 14, and 10 year old Beau.
Of her West End debut as single mum Violet Newstead in 9 To 5, she said: “I could relate to her in so many different ways; having a teenager, trying to juggle everything, trying to keep my act together at work and not let people see the emotion.”
She also said that the relentless rehearsal regime and weekly live performances on Strictly were excellent preparation for her gruelling schedule of eight performances a week.
“Strictly was great for a show like this because you have to let all those nerves work for you rather than against you,” she said.
“Otherwise it’s so apparent that you’re nervous or running out of breath. I think it’s more the performance level of Strictly that actually prepared me for a role like this.”