She found fame as a member of pop group Hear’Say at the tender age of 18, a whopping 25 years ago – but Suzanne Shaw says she’s sexier than ever in her forties after making a big life decision. Five years ago, Suzanne, now 43, gave up alcohol, and she says the benefits to daily life are incredible.
The star – who has been engaged to personal trainer Sam Greenfield since 2014 – tells Closer at the launch of Clueless, The Musical, ‘I’m celebrating five years sober. It gives you so much energy and clarity and I could never go back!
‘I feel better now than I did in my twenties. I feel sexier and more knowing and confident and empowered to be who I am without fearing what people think or judging me. You’ve got two types of confidence – the one where you blag it and then the one where you’re a bit more knowing. In my twenties, I was blagging life loads and now I think, “Who gives a f**k!” I love being me and just who I am.”’
Suzanne, who has son Corey, 20, from her relationship with ex Darren Day, and nine-year-old Rafferty with Sam, previously opened up about how she started drinking more heavily after losing her dad in 2012.
And she also spoke bravely about suffering from postnatal depression after Rafferty’s birth. But now the star – who won the third series of the ITV skating show Dancing On Ice in 2008 and participated in the All Stars series in 2014 – says she’s happier than ever and focusing on the positives in life. She says, ‘I don’t think the hangovers were worth the way they make you feel – I hated that feeling in the morning. If I knew I could just have one glass, I’d probably still be drinking, but I was the kind of person who loved to drink. I wasn’t an alcoholic but it was an unhealthy relationship. But now I love getting up in the morning and feeling clear – I would never want to ruin that. I’m in a much better place.’
And seeing Suzanne in the flesh, she still looks like a fresh-faced teenager in a pop band. The actress – who played Eve Jenson in Emmerdale for a year in 2010 – laughs, ‘I’m flattered that people think I look young. Corey gets really embarrassed because people always come up to us and ask if he’s my boyfriend when we’re out together! I can never give him a hug on public transport or put my arm around him because it makes him feel self conscious. It gives him the ick!’
And Suzanne – who’s admitted that experimenting with Botox in the past only brought out her insecurities – says she credits her vegan diet and regular exercise for maintaining her youthful appearance.
She says, ‘I do prioritise my health and wellbeing. I’m on a plant-based diet and I like to keep fit. This morning I had avocado on toast and a homemade juice with carrot, ginger and apple, and I love nutritious food like a quinoa salad with lots of veggies.’
In 2002, Kym Marsh sensationally quit Hear’Say after a series of arguments with her fellow band member Myleene Klass. And now Suzanne says despite a number of band reunions – including Five and McFly this year – Hear’Say won’t be getting back on stage. The band was famously formed on the first reality TV singing contest show, Popstars.
‘The Hear’Say reunion has been talked about in the past but I just can’t see it happening,’ says Suzanne. ‘We weren’t a band like the others where we were together for a long time. We weren’t even together for two years, although a lot happened in that time because of the way we got together – it changed the history of TV and music!
‘But we don’t have a back catalogue of many songs. I don’t know how it would work and we’ve all been doing things individually for so long now. I keep in touch with my bandmates on and off but we were never really solid. We’re always going to have a bond, unlike any bond that I’ll have with any other people in my life. It’s a very unique experience that we went through and so that will always keep us very bonded and connected. But it doesn’t mean that we have to be glued to each other forever more!’
Clueless, The Musical is at London’s Trafalgar Theatre until 27 September. Tickets: Cluelessonstage. For more info, go to Suzanne Shaw's website.