Rachel Stevens put on a brave smile on Tuesday as she was spotted running errands in central London.
The singer, 45, kept a low profile in a monochrome look as she shaded her eyes with chunky sunglasses.
It comes after the tragic death of Rachel’s S Club 7 bandmate Paul Cattermole aged 46 earlier this month.
The star showed her strength as she managed a small smile – but at one point she also placed a hand over her heart.
Rachel opted for a casual look in baggy denim jeans and a white T-shirt, which she dressed up with a cropped black jacket.
Brave: Rachel Stevens, 45, managed a smile as she was spotted running errands in London on Thursday
Shock: Her appearance comes after the death of her S Club 7 co-star Paul Cattermole earlier this month
She looked stunning as her highlighted brunette locks were neatly styled, while also adding red nail polish for a pop of colour.
Rachel has been through a difficult time of late, having lost her friend and S Club bandmate Paul Cattermole, who died suddenly at the age of 46 at his home in Dorset earlier this month.
She paid a heartfelt tribute to Paul Cattermole, who she and the rest of the band was due to embark on a celebratory 25th anniversary UK tour with in October this year.
While the tour will still go ahead, the band have been in shock by his untimely passing and Rachel issued a personal statement on her Instagram page last week.
She thanked fans for their ‘outpouring’ of support and said she hoped her late friend ‘knew how loved he was’.
Alongside a black and white photo of Paul from the bands heyday she wrote: ‘Thank you so much for all your beautiful messages of love and support.
‘The outpouring of love for our Paul has been so incredibly special and has meant so much, I hope he knew how loved he was.
She continued: ‘Such a kind, gentle and sensitive soul with the most incredible energy and such a wild free spirit. He would light up any room.
Casual look: The singer shaded her eyes with chunky sunglasses and kept a low-key appearance
Laid-back look: Rachel paired her baggy denim jeans with a white tee and cropped black jacket
Details: She added a Gucci bag, heeled boots and red nail polish for a pop of colour
Fame game: Rachel found success with pop group S Club 7 (clockwise L-R Rachel, the late Paul Cattermole, Jon Lee, Tina Barrett, Bradley McIntosh, Hanah Spearritt, Jo O’Meara) (pictured in 1999)
‘We are heartbroken but so grateful for the memories we all shared, an absolute shining star who we will love and miss always.
‘RIP darling Paul.’
Paul was found at his Dorset home on the morning of Thursday 6 April and was pronounced dead in the afternoon, his family said the following day.
Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
In a joint statement, Paul’s family and S Club 7 said: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved son and brother Paul Cattermole.
‘Paul was found yesterday, 6th April 2023 at his home in Dorset and was pronounced dead later that afternoon.
‘While the cause of death is currently unknown, Dorset Police has confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances. Paul’s family, friends and fellow members of S Club request privacy at this time.’
It comes after it was revealed Rachel is reportedly dating her former Dancing On Ice partner Brendyn Hatfield.
Heartbreak: Rachel (2nd left) paid a heartfelt tribute to her S Club 7 bandmate Paul (far left) after his tragic death (pictured with the band earlier this year)
RIP: Paul was found dead on the morning of Thursday 6 April at his home in Dorset at the age of 46 (pictured in 2000)
Thank you: Rachel thanked fans for their ‘outpouring of support’ and said she hoped her late friend ‘knew how loved he was’
Tragic news: While his cause of death has not been revealed, the band’s manager reportedly said that there were ‘no suspicious circumstances’
The S Club 7 star appeared on the ITV show with professional skater Brendyn, 37, last year and a source has now told The Sun the pair are ‘smitten’.
Rachel announced she’d split from her husband of 12 years, Alex Bourne, in July last year.
Meanwhile, Brendyn is also separated from his wife, fellow professional skater Jessica.
A source told The Sun on Sunday: ‘Rachel had a really great friendship and partnership with Brendyn and it keeps developing.
‘They’re really smitten and looking forward to the future.
‘She wasn’t expecting to find love again at this stage in her life but she’s feeling postive about what’s to come and hopeful about a new start.
‘She is taking each day as it comes and focusing on upcoming career projects.’
MailOnline contacted Brendyn and a representative for Rachel for comment at the time.
New love? Rachel Stevens, 45, is reportedly dating her former Dancing On Ice partner Brendyn Hatfield, 37 (Rachel and Brendyn pictured on Dancing On Ice in January last year)
End of the road: It comes after singer Rachel announced she’d split from her husband of 12 years, Alex Bourne, in July last year (Rachel and Alex pictured in 2011)
Change: Rachel took to her Instagram Stories to let her fans know she had split from Alex in July last year
Heart FM host Rachel and Brendyn first met when they started training for Dancing On Ice in November 2021.
They struck up a friendship but became the third couple to be voted out of the competition in January last year.
Just a few months later, Rachel announced her split from her childhood sweetheart Alex, just a month before their 13th wedding anniversary.
She moved out of the family home they shared earlier this year and the former couple are focusing on raising daughters Amelie, 12, and Minnie, nine.
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