‘WALKING AWAY FROM PAUL WAS ONE OF THE HARDEST DECISIONS I'VE EVER HAD TO MAKE'

S CLUB 7 STAR TINA BARRETT OPENS UP TO OK! ABOUT THE END OF HER RELATIONSHIP BEING A STRONG SINGLE MOTHER AND HER DREAMS OF FINDING THE RIGHT MAN

- EMILY WHITWAM

Since finding fame as part of S Club 7 in 1999, Tina Barrett has grown from being a pop starlet who lived in the limelight to a strong mother who is protective of her private life.

But when we speak to the star, she’s ready to exclusively reveal to OK! the turmoil she’s endured in the past two years over the end of her relationship with Paul Cashmore, star of Channel 4’s Hunted.

We last caught up with Tina four years ago, after she and Paul had just welcomed son Roman. She made the heartbreaking decision to leave him after six years in 2019 – and Paul is now dating his Hunted co-star Jill Mellor. “Walking away from our relationship was so hard, it felt like my whole world caved in,” she sobs.

Tina, 44, faced more heartache when her dad Edward died from a stroke. But despite feeling devastated and overwhelmed, she soldiered on to release solo singles including Private Dance Instructor and decided to move into her family home in West Sussex to support mum Cheryl.

“You never get over the loss of a parent,” says Tina. “We’ve told Roman that Grandad is up in the stars looking down and he has accepted that.”

Here, Tina tells of the strength it took to walk away from the man she thought she’d marry and her amazing bond with her son…

Hi Tina. How is Roman?

He doesn’t stop! I’m an only child and haven’t got much experience with bringing up young boys. They just run riot and really keep you on your toes [laughs]. Homeschooling is not fun, though!

Tell us more…