Rachel Stevens thanks 'supportive' fans after split with husband Alex Bourne
The couple were due to celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary next month
Rachel Stevens thanked her fans for their support as she spoke publicly for the first time since her split with husband Alex Bourne after almost 13 years of marriage.
The Former S Club 7 star, 44, thanked her social media fans on Monday for their thoughtful messages during the difficult time.
On her Instagram stories, she penned: 'I just wanted to say thank you so much for all your lovely messages of love and support. It means so much.'
The singer let her fans know of the sad news via social media on Friday. She wrote: 'I just wanted to share with you all that after time and consideration the difficult decision has been made for Alex and I to separate.
'While we are no longer partners in marriage, we will remain partners in parenthood to our beautiful girls and continue with love and respect for each other.
'I feel so incredibly grateful for the life we built together and will now continue to be focused on moving forward united as a family.'
The couple were due to celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary next month.
Rachel and Alex, who were childhood sweethearts, married at Claridge's in London in 2009.