Rachel Stevens in ‘turmoil’ after falling for DOI’s Brendyn Hatfield

Rachel Stevens has revealed how falling for Dancing On Ice partner Brendyn Hatfield led to her ‘messy and scary’ split from ex-husband Alex Bourne.

The S Club star, 45, went offical with the skater, 38, in November after first being paired together on the ITV show and striking up a friendship in early 2022, ahead of her divorce which was announced later the same year. 

Rachel said she was left in ‘turmoil’ amid the blossoming romance and feared for daughters Amelie, 12, and Minnie, nine, who she shares with her former husband of almost 13-years.

Speaking to The Sun she admitted: ‘[The split] was messy. I knew that we were growing, that I was growing apart, but I was in turmoil, because first of all my kids’.

Rachel went on to recall how she felt telling now ex-husband Alex about Brendyn admitting: ‘It was really scary, because I knew as soon as I said that, that was it.’

Before gushing about her new partner: ‘He’s a beautiful human, I really love him.’

Rachel and Brendyn were unfortunately among the first couples to be eliminated from the skating series, leaving the competition in Week 4, however they didn’t allow that to sour their relationship.

A source said at the time: ‘Rachel had a really great friendship and partnership with Brendyn and it keeps developing…she wasn’t expecting to find love again at this stage in her life but she’s feeling positive about what’s to come and hopeful about a new start.’

Announcing the news of her divorce Rachel wrote on Instagram: ‘I just wanted to share with you all that after time and consideration the difficult decision has been made for Alex and I to separate.

‘While we are no longer partners in marriage, we will remain partners in parenthood to our beautiful girls and continue with love and respect for each other. 

‘I feel so incredibly grateful for the life we built together and will now continue to be focused on moving forward united as a family.’

Rachel and Alex, who were childhood sweethearts and met again in adulthood, married at Claridge’s in London in 2009.

The pair walked down the aisle to S Club 7’s hit Never Had A Dream Come True and her bandmates – Bradley McIntosh, Hannah Spearritt, Jo O’Meara, Jon Lee, Paul Cattermole and Tina Barrett – were there to watch them say ‘I do’.

Earlier this year Rachel and Brendyn looked every inch of the loved-up couple as they cosied up together in a rare Instagram snap.

The singer cosied up for a selfie hugging the skater as the duo soaked the sun in a swimming pool.

Rachel looked stunning in a bandeau bikini top and Ray-Ban shades, accessorising with gold bracelets and earrings.

The skating sensation took to his Instagram page as he gushed over his partner and wrote candidly: ‘Having a much needed holiday together with my love.

‘Felt like the last five months have been a blur and it’s been nice to finally stop for a moment and take it all in. Couldn’t have made it through all the chaos without the help of this beautiful soul.’

‘It’s been so nice to get some sunshine and relaxation in before hitting the ground running on whatever comes next,’ he finished.