‘No going back to Stepford’ as Louise files for divorce

LOUISE Redknapp has filed for divorce after 18 years of marriage to husband Jamie, say reports. There has been speculation for months over their future after the Strictly star confirmed they were living apart. The 43-year-old shares two children with the former Liverpool footballer – Charles, 13, and Beau, who is eight.

The development comes after claims the soccer star, 44, was ‘uncomfortable’ with his wife’s return to the spotlight after her stint on Strictly last year.

She was said to have felt like a ‘Stepford wife’, having given up her showbiz career when they had their first child.

Sources told the Sun: ‘They have come to a mutual agreement that divorce is the only option. Louise has filed the paperwork and there’s no going back.’

Jamie was seen without his wedding ring days before his wife reportedly filed for divorce, and revealed he would spend the Christmas period working.

This came after reports his wife was desperate to save their marriage. The former singer admitted the couple were going through ‘hard times’ in September, and in October she admitted to living apart from her husband.

Louise said it was dancing in the BBC show that made her realise she ‘couldn’t go back’.

‘I became a sort of Stepford wife, wanting to be perfect at it,’ she said. ‘It was only when I agreed to do Strictly Come Dancing that I realised I couldn’t just go back to that. I didn’t want to continue running around after everyone else, and occasionally promoting a yoghurt or doing a little TV presenting job.’

The former Eternal singer, who was a runner-up in last year’s series with professional partner Kevin Clifton, said she felt ‘physically sick’ at the prospect of never performing again.

‘I wanted to sing. I wanted to perform. I wanted to go back to work on a stage in front of an audience. I felt physically sick at the idea I’d never have that buzz again, that fulfilment I get from performing. That is when the s*** hit the fan.’

Louise, who gave up her singing career in 2004 after the birth of her first child, admitted she struggled to watch her husband’s blossoming TV career.

Representatives for the couple were contacted for comment.