Showbiz News
-
-
-
Loading
Loading
The 46-year-old S Club 7 singer and the 38-year-old professional skater were first paired together on the skating competition in 2022, sparking speculation about their chemistry on the rink. In November 2023, the pair confirmed what fans had long suspected by going public with their romance, blending their families and stepping out as a couple.
However, it has now been confirmed that their relationship has come to an end. Sources close to the couple revealed that Rachel and Brendyn had drifted apart and found it increasingly difficult to make their blended family dynamic work. Rachel is mum to two daughters, Amelie, 13, and Minnie, 9, from her previous marriage to Alex Bourne, while Brendyn has a young son from a former relationship.
A friend told The Sun: “It is incredibly sad and a relatively recent thing. Both Rachel and Brendyn felt there was no way forward for them. Rachel recently took herself to Marbella with her two daughters to get some much-needed headspace, and Brendyn and his young son have now moved out of the family home into a flat.” The source added that although the breakup was amicable, it became clear that the pressures of combining two family lives under one roof were simply too great. “There is still a lot of affection there, and no regrets,” the insider explained. “But it isn’t easy trying to make a blended family run seamlessly and, in the end, tensions between Rachel and Brendyn got too much. They don’t ever want to row in front of their kids who remain their priority.”
Since the split, Rachel has kept a low profile online but has continued to share moments with her daughters, while Brendyn is said to be focusing on his career and time with his son. Friends of the singer suggest her trip to Marbella was an opportunity to recharge and reflect, while also giving her children quality time away from the upheaval at home.
The news of their separation marks another turning point in what has been a rollercoaster few years for Rachel. In 2022, she separated from her husband of 12 years, Alex Bourne, with whom she shares her daughters. Not long afterwards, she was paired with Brendyn on Dancing On Ice, and the partnership soon blossomed into a relationship. Fans had been rooting for the couple ever since, admiring their chemistry both on and off the ice, which makes this breakup all the more surprising for many.
Despite the sadness surrounding the split, those close to Rachel and Brendyn stress that both remain committed to co-parenting harmoniously and maintaining stability for their children. “They care deeply about each other and will always be part of each other’s lives through their kids,” said one friend, “but ultimately they decided it was best to part as partners.”
For Rachel, who rose to fame in the late 1990s as part of the chart-topping group S Club 7 before going on to pursue a solo career and various television projects, this latest chapter is one more step in her ongoing personal journey. With the support of friends, family, and her loyal fans, she is expected to continue balancing her professional opportunities with her dedication to her daughters.
