Dancing on Ice star Rachel Stevens says S Club 7 left her needing therapy
DANCING On Ice star Rachel Stevens has revealed she still has therapy to cope with her time in S Club 7.
The 43-year-old singer said she “got very good at putting on a show face and putting a lid on things”.
She was in the band from 1999 to 2003 as they achieved pop stardom with No1 singles such as Don’t Stop Movin’.
But talking of the toll it took, Rachel said: “You just kind of push it down and get on with it and suck it up. And that does take a bit of a toll.
“I’ve spent a lot of time trying to learn to undo that. It’s something I have to work on every day. I still speak to a therapist. That really helps.”
Rachel — voted FHM’s Sexiest Woman of all Time in 2014 after 11 years on the lads’ mag’s annual list — denied her popstar past will give her an advantage in the skating show, which returned last night.
She finished second on Strictly in 2008 and some fans reckon her training will provide a head start — along with ballroom pro Brendan Cole.
Rachel insisted it is still an even playing field, explaining: “We all come into the show with our own different backgrounds and careers.
“I’m not a trained dancer. And at the end of the day, it’s on ice so no matter what you do, that adds a whole other level of challenge. It’s crazy.”
Rachel skates on the show for the first time next weekend, cheered on by hubby Alex and their two girls.
She said there are no concerns about her getting too close to her pro partner Brendyn Hatfield thanks to her rock-solid relationship.
She added: “Brendyn’s such a pro. He’s so strong and makes it look so effortless. I have such trust in him. I’m not worried about being dropped.
“The girls can’t wait to watch. Alex is always very supportive of whatever I choose to do. He says, ‘As long as you don’t rope me in, it’s fine’.”
- Listen to Rachel Stevens’ full chat on the Sun’s Fabulous podcast Things I Told My Daughter, which is available on all podcast apps.