Natasha: “Charlie and I are a proper family unit”
Singer Natasha Hamilton tells Closer she’s not ruling out baby No.5, why she’s proud of her body and how she overcame post-natal depression
She’s been married once S before and has two broken engagements behind her – but Natasha Hamilton admits that she doesn’t feel scared about walking down the aisle again.
The 34-year-old star got engaged to fashion businessman Charles Gay just nine months after she split from 5ive singer Ritchie Neville, with whom she has a twoyear-old daughter Ella.
Natasha already has four children by four different fathers and has been blasted by critics who have called her “4x4.” But she insists that her past hasn’t put her off marriage or having more babies, and that she’s learned to live in the moment.
BEACH WEDDING
Natasha says: “If there’s anything that my past has taught me, it’s to live in the now and not to worry about what’s happened. I definitely have no reservations now.
“You do need time to get over what you’ve been through in the past, but enough time has gone by. I’ve met a wonderful person who’s asked me to marry him and everything has really settled down now.
“We’re hoping to get married next year and have looked at a few locations – we might have a beach wedding – although we haven’t set a date yet.”
Natasha’s love life has certainly been turbulent over the years. She started dating nightclub owner Fran Cosgrave in 2000 before they had a son, Josh, in 2002, but split shortly after, briefly reuniting in 2005.
She then found love in 2002 with dancer Gavin Hatcher and they had Harry in 2004 but split the following year. Two years later, the singer married Riad Erraji and welcomed their son Alfie in 2010, but the romance ended in 2013. That same year she met Ritchie on The Big Reunion, although the pair had previously dated many years before. They had daughter Ella in 2014 and broke up two years later.
FINDING SUPPORT
She was then labelled a “4x4” mum, which she admits she found distressing. Natasha says: “Ritchie was very supportive over that and we do still see each other because we have Ella together. I’ve had ups and downs and sometimes you have to stop and reflect. I have four beautiful children, a career that’s going well and a partner who supports me.
“Charlie is a great cook and we love to chill out. We’re both
‘I judge myself when I put on my jeans’
on the same wavelength and we’re not embarrassed to be silly with each other.”
Although she’s busy with her children, Natasha always makes time for exercise to help her mental well-being, after suffering from post-natal depression.
FATHER FIGURE
She says: “There’s always that pressure to look good and, for me, I’ve had four children and my body is far from perfect. I do go to the gym and go out for runs. I judge myself by how I feel when I put on my jeans. “It’s a balancing act and I love going out for dinner and having a glass of wine. But I look after myself and I’m proud of how I look.” And Natasha says that after touring with her Atomic Kitten band mates Kerry Katona and Liz Mcclarnon, she’s proud of Kerry for losing 2st since the start of the year. She says: “Kerry looks amazing after losing all that weight. Her short hair really suits her too.” Now she says it may be time for baby No.5, adding: “We’ll see what happens about another baby. It would be great, but the main thing is that Charlie is a good father figure – we wouldn’t be getting married otherwise. His main priority is the children. He’s not their dad, but the boys and Ella dote on him. We’re a proper family unit.”