S Club 7’s Tina Barrett has opened up about her heartache over split from boyfriend Paul Cashmore.
The 44-year-old – who is most well known for being part of 90s pop group – has tried to keep her personal life out of the spotlight since shooting to fame in 1998.
Tina was on cloud nine after giving birth to baby Roman back in 2016.
But when the tot was just three-years-old, the singer and her other half Paul – who is most well known for his role on Channel 4’s Hunted – decided to go their separate ways after six years together.
Tina has spoken out for the first time about their split and explained the pair just ended up drifting apart.
She told OK! magazine: “I guess people change. You have to put the work in for a relationship and, unfortunately, sometimes that doesn’t happen.
“It’s awful when you break up and when there’s children involved.
“But people pick themselves up and carry on. That’s what you’ve got to do. It’s definitely tested me, I never thought I’d be in this position. But I am and I’ve carried on.
“I’ve been blessed with the most beautiful intelligent, bright little boy. So I feel good that I got through ut.”
Looking back on their decision to end their relationship back in 2019, Tina thinks that they’ve done the right thing.
She added: “When you have a baby, you have the future mapped out – and then when that doesn’t happen, it’s like your whole world caves in.
“I had to decide whether to carry on when it’s not working or nd it.
“Looking back, we did the right thing. The worst thing is clinging on to something when you know it’s not right. It’s heartbreaking.”
The former couple have still managed to make things work between them for the sake of their son.
Tina explained: “Me and his dad are friends. We were together a long time and some things just don’t work out.
“Walking away was one of the hardest decisions I have had to make. But it was better we went our separate ways. Paul sees Roman a lot and we’ve kept it amicable.
“I would just hate Roman not to have his dad in his life, just because of what’s happened between us. It just wouldn’t be hair on him – you’ve got to make it work for your child.”
The few years have been tough for Tina, as she also had to come to terms with the loss of her dad Edward, after he suffered from a stroke.
She is now living in her family home with her mum Cheryl so that they can be there for each other.
While the mum-of-one admitted she’s happy on her own at the moment, she does want to find love again in the future.
Meanwhile, Paul is now in a relationship with Jill Mellor, who he met on set of the popular Channel 4 show.
Things are looking up for Tina this year as it was revealed in 2020 that the iconic pop group are in talks of a reunion.
