Rachel was recently interviewed by The Times further promoting her new book ‘Finding My Voice‘

The past 17 months have been a whirlwind. I’ve changed home three times since breaking up with my husband, Alex Bourne [an estate agent on the Netflix show Buying London]. First, me and our two girls, Amelie, 13, and Minnie, 10, moved out of our family home in north London. Then we moved to a rental flat, and then another one, in the same area with my partner, Brendyn Hatfield [her Dancing on Ice partner]. Now we’re looking to buy.

Where are you house-hunting?
I want to stay in north London because the girls are at school here. Brendyn and I are excited about doing a project together. He’s great at DIY, whereas I love interiors. We’ll make a great team.

What’s your interiors look?
I like classic period features — high ceilings and big sash windows — with modern finishes. I’ve been passionate about interiors since Alex and I bought our first little basement flat in Primrose Hill. I was desperate to put down roots because I was constantly travelling.

I love working with interior designers. I even hired one when we moved into our current rented flat because I wanted to make it homely without spending a fortune.

Was it a wrench leaving your family home?
It was challenging. When we decided to separate, Alex and I were under the same roof, trying to get the house sold. It would have been easier if there had been no love between us, but that wasn’t the case. At one point, our lounge had no furniture and most of our things were in boxes. We divided most of our possessions, but towards the end we couldn’t agree who should get custody of our many vases. We took turns, each picking a vase at a time.

You were once attacked outside your home. That must have been terrifying
It happened six months after I finished Strictly Come Dancing in 2009. I was entering our Primrose Hill flat, my hands full of shopping bags, when a guy wearing a balaclava charged towards me, knocking me backwards. We tumbled down the stairs. With his full weight on top of me, he put a hand round my throat and threatened to break my neck if I screamed. He then stripped me of my jewellery, including my diamond necklace and Rolex.

Two more men rushed in and took my computer and more jewellery, before fleeing the scene. Thankfully, they were caught. They turned out to be a gang that had targeted several well-known people in St John’s Wood, Hampstead and Primrose Hill. Afterwards, I suffered terrible PTSD. Even now, I jump if someone knocks unexpectedly.

Where did you grow up?
We lived in a three-bedroom semi in Southgate, north London. It was unremarkable but inside it was like a show home. We weren’t particularly religious, but what I’ve taken from being Jewish is the idea of family, community and some of the traditions.

That said, I also grew up in a house where we didn’t discuss feelings. I suffered from terrible anxiety but had no outlet. I developed emetophobia, a fear of being sick. I manage it better now but it hasn’t gone away. My eldest daughter has it too.

Were you always interested in music?
I spent hours in my mint-green bedroom singing into my hairbrush. The pivotal moment was Mum taking me to a Kylie Minogue concert. I said, “I’m going to do that one day.”

What was the effect of your parents’ separation?
When I was 15 we lost our family home because Mum couldn’t afford to keep it on. We moved to a rented flat in nearby Cockfosters. It felt nothing like home. Joining S Club 7 gave me focus. With my lack of stage school experience, I sometimes felt unqualified to be in the band — but I also felt like I had gained a new family.

‘Finding My Voice‘ by Rachel Stevens is out now!

(Taken from The Times)