I owe my life TO MY KIDS'

As he launches a highly personal new album and tour, popular singer Alfie Boe tells us why his children always come first

- SUE CRAWFORD.

When Alfie Boe completed his new album the first people he sent it to were his teenage children.

The devoted dad wanted to know what 17-year-old Grace and 14-year-old Alfie thought of his new work, and while their answer was brief, Alfie was delighted with their response. ‘When you get a message back from teenagers that just says “sounds good”, that’s enough, I’ll accept that!’ he laughs.

Alfie’s new tour, Facing Myself, will see him on the road for two solid months, and while he loves singing for his fans, he admits that being away from his children is tough.

‘They live quite a way away from me in the States. I do get to see them often, but when I'm on the road, I miss that unity and I miss home,’ he says.

‘Fatherhood is what my life is about, it’s what keeps me going. The minute I became a dad I realised that life isn’t about me, it’s about my kids. It's what I do for them for the future that matters.’

Alfie, 52, separated from his wife Sarah in 2020. Their divorce hit him hard, and he later took an overdose before being hospitalised for five weeks for depression.

These days he is back on an even keel, and loving life and his music again, and he credits his children with having helped.