'NOW I CAN SAY THAT I'M REALLY PROUD OF MYSELF'

Singer Rachel Stevens on being thrust into the spotlight as a youngster and how her self-image has evolved as she has matured

- MITYA UNDERWOOD

As a member of one of the 1990s' most loved pop groups, Rachel Stevens has a lot to be proud of. During her time with S Club 7, she won two Brit awards, achieved album sales of more than 10 million worldwide and enjoyed a string of Top 5 hits.

When we catch up for an exclusive photoshoot with the singer - the day before her 47th birthday - she admits it's taken her a long time to embrace her achievements.

"I entered the public eye at an age when I had a shaky sense of self," she tells us. "At that time of life, you're at a point where you're finding your way. It's not easy to give ourselves credit and say we're proud of our achievements - it's a difficult thing to do and it's something I've spoken a lot about in my therapy.

"So actually, now I can say that I'm really proud of myself. I think that's come with self-development and self-growth, the ability to feel that. There'll be poignant moments, when a song of mine comes on the radio, for instance, and the kids have such a strong reaction to it and they're proud of me. Or when we were back on tour and got to experience the impact S Club had on those fans who are older now, but were kids at the time - you saw what it meant to them. It's easy to forget how many things we did in our career."

Since the group originally disbanded in 2004, it's been fairly nonstop for Rachel. She's launched fashion and make-up collaborations, was a runner-up on Strictly Come Dancing in 2008, scouted for talent on the New Zealand version of The X Factor, had a short reunion with S Club 7 and has become a mum to Amelie, 14, and Minnie, 11.