AS SHE GETS READY FOR 'DANCING ON ICE' HANNAH SPEARRITT LOOKS FORWARD TO A FRESH START AFTER A FESTIVE FAMILY BREAK

Gifts are wrapped under a twinkling tree and a layer of frost shimmers on the ground as Hannah Spearritt and her family get into the festive spirit.

- TRACY SCHAVERIEN

The singer and actress, who joins HELLO! for this exclusive photoshoot and interview with her fiancé Adam Thomas and their little girls Tora, three, and Taya, who turns five this week, is looking forward to spending Christmas with her loved ones, as well as to new beginnings in the year ahead.

"This will be the first time both girls are fully aware of Christmas and they're super excited and bouncing off one another," Hannah tells us as the family enjoy a break at Ballingdon Hall, a luxury retreat in Suffolk.

"They're at an age where they're taking it all in, and it's so nice for us, as adults, to see Christmas through their eyes and experience the magic again." 

MOVING ON

More than anything, the S Club 7 star is hoping for a peaceful Christmas after a year of ups and downs in which she was plagued by a debilitating health condition and suffered a devastating bereavement. She says she can't wait to put this year behind her and focus on better things in 2024, including appearing as a contestant in Dancing on Ice, which returns to ITV next month.

"I had never skated before and used to hold on to the side and hope for the best, then fall over, so it's nice to be making progress," says Hannah, who has already started training with her professional partner as she prepares to compete with the likes of boxer Ricky Hatton, presenter Adele Roberts and skijumper Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards.

"Everyone's getting into the groove and supporting each other. I'm excited about being able to get on to the ice with the girls," she says.

Hannah, 42, and Adam, 43, plan to spend Christmas with their daughters at home in south-west London. "Our neighbour has an open house, so we might take some food round," she says. "We're going to leave out carrots for the reindeer on Christmas Eve, and the girls will have little sacks on the end of their beds for their presents."