The one lesson I’ve learned from life

Louise Redknapp

SINGER and TV presenter Louise Redknapp, 42, recently reached the Strictly Come Dancing final. She lives in Surrey with her husband, sports pundit Jamie Redknapp, and their sons, Charley, 12, and Beau, eight.

EMBRACE WHAT TERRIFIES YOU

in the nineties, i wasn’t as fearless as i should have been. i was in awe of the music industry and, when i was in the girl band Eternal, i didn ’t stand up for myself, even though i was unhappy.

Then, when i became a solo artist, i didn’t push back; i didn’t fight to further my career. if i had, perhaps i would still be performing today.

When i became famous, i was invited to try out for film roles, but a fear of the unknown made me pull out because i didn’t want to embarrass myself. i was even offered a small role in Friends, but stupidly let nerves get in the way.

i turned it down because it was out of my comfort zone. i told myself music was my priority , but i should have jumped at the chance. in the end, i realised i’d let myself down.

now i’m a mum, i make sure i teach my children to be f earless. Their challenges are not things that will have a life-long impact, but they are important to them — whether it’s an exam, a match or a difficult day in the playground.

i always say: ‘Be fearless, never be the one who’s too scared to say something; it counts in life.’

There’s so much pressure on kids these days with social media — how they should look and what they should be doing — so the lesson is more important than ever. i really encourage them to never, ever worry what someone might say to you or think of you. it’s important to me to raise them this way.

When you become a mum and you take time out, it’s easy to lose faith in yourself and your abilities. Before i started Strictly, i definitely had that doubt. But i knew i had to embrace the fear to give me the kick-start to do it, even though i nearly wimped out in the first week.

i never wanted to walk off that dance floor feeling like i’d given in to my anxiety, that i hadn’t given it my all.

i stuck by that and i feel a huge sense of achievement as a result.

Today, more than ever , i try to be fearless in everything i do.