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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Frances Kindon

S Club 7: Rachel Stevens' love life - divorce and Jeremy Edwards split caused by tragedy

Back in the early Noughties, S Club 7 star Rachel Stevens and actor Jeremy Edwards were the celeb couple of the day.

The red hot romance between Rachel and the Holby City actor moved at lightening speed, with Jeremy popping the question after just 18 months on Valentine's Day 2002.

Getting down on one knee during dinner at London's swish hotel, The Dorchester, Rachel - who'd fancied Jeremy since she first clapped eyes on him as Kurt Benson in Hollyoaks - immediately said yes.

"I really didn't have a clue he was going to do it and am thrilled to pieces," the then 23 year old gushed. "We are both so happy."

But within a year, the cracks were beginning to show.

Jeremy Edwards and Rachel Stevens got engaged in 2002, but broke up the following year (Press Association)
Jeremy asked Rachel to marry him on Valentine's Day (Press Association)

Rachel's demanding job with S Club meant taking time off for a wedding was out of the question.

And Jeremy, then playing health care assistant Danny Shaughnessy in BBC One's Holby, shared his frustrations, telling heat magazine, "It's impossible."

He continued, "We've only just found out that she's got three weeks off now. We've got to try and book a holiday today but that means me begging and pleading for time off from Holby. How can we possibly organise a wedding?"

But a tragedy that would derail Jeremy entirely struck on June 15 when his Holby co-star, Laura Sadler, plunged 40ft to her death from a balcony while watching the sun rise at her boyfriend's home in Holland Park, London.

The 22 year old sustained massive head injuries and died in hospital five days later, leaving Jeremy, then 31, bereft.

Holby City star Laura Sadler died after falling from a balcony (LFI)
Jeremy and Rachel attended Laura's funeral in July 2003 (Getty Images)

"Everybody in the cast is completely devastated and is asking the same question, 'Why her?'" he told the BBC.

"You couldn’t meet a sweeter, nicer, more wonderful girl. She was the kindest person and even actor friends of mine who did just one episode with her are mortified. She was just the loveliest little thing."

Crippled with grief, he began drinking too much and just months later, Rachel ended their relationship.

"It was a tough time for me. After Laura's death I got really messed up. I was drinking a hell of a lot and got seriously depressed," he told heat.

"It really shook me up. Losing such a close friend pushed me off the rails and sadly Rachel got caught up in my mess.

"It was at this point she confronted me about my problems and we agreed to have a break."

Jeremy Edwards and Laura Sadler in Holby City (BBC)

The pair didn't speak for an entire month until Jeremy "realised what my behaviour was making me lose," and they reunited.

"Rachel means the world to me and I couldn't believe what was happening to our relationship. I needed a serious reality check and that's what I got," he added.

However, they shelved their plans for marriage with Jeremy stating he needed to "grow up a bit" before making a commitment.

He also disapproved of the sexy image overhaul she underwent to launch her solo career, explaining he wanted Rachel to be known for her talent, not her looks.

"I just don't think it's necessary," he told Now magazine.

"It seems that the easiest way for a young girl to sell records is to get her kit off and get herself in the tabloids, but I think there's a danger of being known for that instead of your talent.

Jeremy and Rachel split for good in 2004 (WireImage)

"Rachel's a really good singer and I worry that her image will overshadow that. But the suits seem to think that they know what they're doing, so we just have to go along with it."

Then in January 2004, the pair confirmed they had parted ways for good, explaining that although the decision was 'sad', it was 'the right one'.

Rachel went on to marry childhood friend Alex Bourne in a lavish ceremony at Claridge's hotel in London's Mayfair in 2009.

The pair first met as children and dated briefly as teenagers before reuniting in their late 20s.

Speaking about their romance, Rachel told Roxie Nafousi's The Moments That Made Me podcast: "We were childhood sweethearts. We went out with each other when we were 12, we met at youth club and I was besotted with him!

"We went out for probably about four weeks and when you're that age that was a really long time!"

Rachel shares daughters Amelie, 12, and Minnie, eight with ex-husband Alex Bourne (msrachelstevens/Instagram)

They tied the knot in London's Claridge's hotel back in 2009, walking down the S Club 7 song, Never Had A Dream Come True.

But last year they parted ways but vowed to remain united as parents for daughters Amelie, 12, and Minnie, eight.

Sharing the news, the singer told her Instagram followers: "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."

Will you go to see the S Club 7 reunion shows? Share your thoughts in the comments section below...

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