I'm blessed to have four girls being their mother is the best role I've had

Hollyoaks star's joy at family life

- NATASHA WYNARCZYK

Of all the roles she has had, Jamelia says motherhood is her favourite - and this Mother's Day will be extra-special for the singer turned TV star.

The 42-year-old will be celebrating with her four daughters, the youngest of whom, Jream, made her dramatic entrance just four months ago.

Former Loose Women panellist Jamelia says: "I was first pregnant as a 19-year-old, 25 when I had my second, third daughter I was 36 then I had my last daughter at 41, so for most decades of my life I've had a baby.

"What I've come to know is there is never a right time to have a child. You are never prepared and never going to just float through it. Being a mum is my favourite responsibility and role.

It's such an honour to be a mother of four daughters and I feel so blessed." Jamelia had never suffered any complications until her pregnancy with True, five, when her waters broke at 23 weeks - meaning she had to be closely monitored. And it happened again with Jream, at 30 weeks.

Jamelia, who also developed gestational diabetes and sciatica, adds: since "This was also the first time I'd been pregnant learning of the discrepancy in the mortality rate of black women. I was four times more likely to die in childbirth. That's a terrifying statistic.

Jamelia was rushed for an emergency Caesarean at Birmingham Women's Hospital at 34 weeks, after Jream's heart rate suddenly dropped.