The Eternal singer revealed she was close to giving up following the end of her marriage and how she felt attacked and painted a villain by the public

Louise Redknapp has opened up about her divorce (Image: Getty)

Louise Redknapp has opened up about the emotional toll of her split from husband Jamie, revealing that she felt “attacked” following their 2017 divorce. The singer, now 50, shared how she was heavily scrutinised in the aftermath, with online trolls painting her as the “villain” in the breakup. Louise admitted she “almost gave up” and struggled to find a way forward. Speaking on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast, she said: “Like, if I didn’t have my kids, I just, I think I would have just given up,” she confessed. “I really do.”

Louise and Jamie, 51, were married for nearly two decades before parting ways. They continue to co-parent their two sons, Charles, 20, and Beau, 16, maintaining a balance where one parent is with the children while the other works. Despite her efforts to stay strong for her family, Louise described feeling overwhelmed by public scrutiny. “I was going through a lot as it was. I was trying to be strong for my kids.” She went on: “Whatever had gone on in our life was private — which I do believe that you’re entitled to no matter what. And God, I was such a villain, and I was breaking, like I was absolutely breaking.”

Louise says sons Charles and Beau ‘saved’ her (Image: Louise Redknapp Instagram)

Louise continued: “Beyond what I thought it was possible for a human to break. And all along, I’m still trying to be a mum.” The relentless judgment left her struggling with self-doubt, making it difficult to navigate life in the public eye. Every time I went out, and I was trying to put a brave face on and do things, like that was wrong if I didn’t. I felt like everything I did was so wrong.”

Even today, Louise admits she remains cautious about expressing herself. “I get really nervous of doing anything,” she said. Through it all, it was her children who kept her going. “I think I just knew that my kids were my everything, and they needed me,” she reflected. While the road hasn’t been easy, Louise continues to move forward, focusing on her family and personal growth. Louise is currently dating defence firm boss Drew Michael, who she previously described as “great” and “lovely,”while Jamie has moved on with wife Frida Andersson, who he married in October 2021. The pair welcomed their son, Raphael, in November 2021.