Louise Redknapp has denied her Strictly Come Dancing stint with Kevin Clifton had anything to do with the end of her marriage to husband Jamie Redknapp - but admits it gave her a new lease of life.
The singer-turned-actress, who walked out on her 20-year marriage in 2017, said that two decades of being a housewife and mum to two sons left her feeling depressed and dissatisfied with her life.
"Strictly put the fire back in my belly, but it didn't break up my relationship. After 20 years of marriage, it takes a lot more than that," she told the Guardian .
Stacey Dooley says there are 'two sides to every story' amid Kevin Clifton 'romance' claims
Admitting she was "lonely" in her marriage and felt "like I had nothing to say", Louise confessed she snapped up the Strictly offer out of boredom - but stopped short of saying it was a cry for help to get her out of her miserable relationship.
"You know, I like to think no. I like to think not at all. I think I just went into Strictly looking for something to do."
The 44-year-old entertainer also opened up about rumours she having a lesbian fling with fellow Strictly star Daisy Lowe , who she was snapped on nights out with during the end of her marriage.
Louise said even her sons questioned the news reports at the time, adding: "Daisy and I only went out together four times or something.
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton's 'romance sparks anger' among Strictly co-stars
"So the idea [that I left my husband for Lowe] … I remember my kids saying, 'Mum, are you going out with Daisy Lowe?' And I had to say, 'Guys, no.' I became people's morning entertainment while they read their paper on the train and ate their croissant. I tried to laugh it off, but the damage these stories were doing to me and those around me was huge."
Her comments come after the bombshell news over the weekend that Kevin Clifton is now dating his dance partner Stacey Dooley after she dumped her fiance.
'Slippery' Kevin Clifton refusing to meet Stacey Dooley's ex for 'man-to-man' chat
Her ex, Sam Tucknott, claimed he found "secret texts" between the two of them - but she insists nothing happened with Kevin until after her engagement was over.
"The blame is with Kevin. He’s an absolute rat," Sam blasted his love rival.
"I have no respect for Kevin whatsoever. He comes out and says it's all 'strictly business'. He’s a full-on p***k. I've tried to meet him since to get closure but he won't do it."
