‘Splitting up was the right thing, but it was really hard’
S Club 7 star Tina Barrett opens up about heartbreak, motherhood and her hopes for the future
Since finding fame with 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. Only now is the star ready to open up about the turmoil she’s endured in the two years since the end of her relationship with Paul Cashmore, star of Channel
4’s Hunted.
Tina, 44, made the tough decision to leave him after six years in 2019 – and Paul is now dating his co-star Jill Mellor. “Walking away from our relationship was so hard, it felt like my whole world caved in,”she sobs.
Tina then faced more heartache when her dad Edward died from a stroke. But despite this, she soldiered on to release solo singles and moved home to West Sussex with her son Roman, four, to support mum Cheryl.
Here,Tina tells of the strength it took to leave 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 keep you on your toes [Laughs].
How have you found co-parenting?
Well, 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 hate Roman not to have his dad in his life, just because of what’s happened between us. It just wouldn’t be fair on him – you’ve got to make it work for your child.
It sounds like it was a tough break-up…
Oh, it was. When you have a baby, you have the future mapped out – and when that doesn’t happen, it’s like your whole world caves in. I had to decide whether to carry on when it wasn’t working or end 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.
Why did the relationship end?
[Sighs] I guess people change.You have to put the work in for a relationship, and unfortunately, sometimes that doesn’t happen. But people pick themselves up and carry on.That’s what you’ve got to do. It’s definitely tested me, but I have been blessed with the most beautiful,
intelligent, bright little boy.
‘You have to pick yourself up and just carry on’
How did you get through it?
Well, to be honest, at the time it was really hard and then my dad passed away. Sorry... [Tina starts to cry]. I’m still not 100%. Losing a parent is something you never get over. It’s been a year since my dad passed. And then the lockdown came. But you’ve just got to carry on.
Does Roman understand what’s been going on?
Me and his dad broke up when he was two, so it’s not really affected him as much as if he were older. I think he’s just accepted that Daddy lives somewhere else and he sees him every other week. He’s happy with that. With my dad, that was a bit harder. Grandad was there one day and then he wasn’t. We told him that Grandad was up in the stars looking down and he has accepted that.
Are you looking for love?
Since I split from Paul, I haven’t wanted to go there. I’m quite happy being on my own and there’s nothing wrong with that. But eventually, I’d like to find love again. I do believe there’s someone out there for everyone.
How is life as a single mum?
It’s hard – you can’t sugar-coat it. But the bond between me and my son is something I really cherish. We’re so close.
Would you like it if Roman followed in your footsteps as a singer?
Oh, definitely. But he’s quite academic, so I think he might get a proper job! But I’d support whatever he wants to do. As long as he’s happy, that’s enough for me!