Louise Redknapp: what does she say in her new book about Jamie Redknapp divorce - and does she have a boyfriend?

Singer and model Louise Redknapp has launched a revealing new memoir, in which she shares intimate details about how her divorce from football pundit Jamie Redknapp impacted her.

In ‘You’ve Got This: And Other Things I Wish I Had Known’, the singer speaks about the feelings of guilt she experienced following her sudden split from her ex-husband, as well as regret for abandoning her career to look after their sons.

Here is what you need to know about Louise Redknapp, her new book and why the celebrity couple split.

Who is Louise Redknapp?

Louise Elizabeth Redknapp was born in November 1974 in Lewisham, London.

She studied at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London, having won a scholarship, and in 1992 she joined Kéllé Bryan and sisters Easther and Vernie Bennett to form the all-female band, Eternal.

In 1993, their debut album ‘Always and Forever’ broke records when it became the first album by a female group to achieve over a million sales in the UK.

Redknapp left the band in 1995, stating she was homesick and miserable, before launching a solo career. Her albums ‘Naked’ (1996) and ‘Woman in Me’ (1997) both reached platinum status, with over 300,000 copies of Naked selling in the UK.

In 1998, she married Liverpool footballer Jamie Redknapp, only a week after they became engaged in Bermuda.

The pair had met through mutual friend Robbie Williams, when Eternal supported his band, Take That.

Louise went on to feature on the front page of GQ and FHM magazines, as well as becoming the face of Boots, Flora and Triumph lingerie.

The couple welcomed two children - Charley Redknapp in July 2004 and Beau Redknapp in 2008 - and the family became the face of the Nintendo games console and Thomas Cook holidays.

Louise went on to appear as a judge on ‘So You think You Can Dance’ and made guest appearances as a host on several daytime TV shows - such as This Morning and the BBC’s Something for the Weekend.

For the most part, Louise took time out of the spotlight to raise her sons while Jamie continued his football career and then became a Sky Sports pundit.

She has now said her step back from work was what she wanted at the time, but she later felt she was missing out on the success and career opportunities her husband was enjoying.

In 2016, she re-emerged as one of the celebrity contestants on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, making it all the way to the final two.

Why did she divorce Jamie Redknapp?

In September 2017, just a few months after the Strictly Come Dancing tour finished, she confirmed she would be divorcing her husband of 19 years, and the divorce was finalised that December.

It came after Louise had spoken in the rehearsals for Strictly about their hopes of a third child and how she and Jamie had laughed off claims of the ‘Strictly curse’ - the term used to describe the list of celebs who have cheated on their other halves with their dancing partners.

The reason behind their sudden split was not revealed at the time, but Redknapp has written in her memoir about how she wishes she had tried to save their marriage.

Redknapp said: “I didn’t want to lose so much of the good feeling. Before anyone could stop me, I just ran, as fast as the wind would take me.

“I never once looked behind, until maybe too late. I should have paused for a minute and thought about other people and had just a bit more time to work out why I felt I couldn’t do it anymore.”

She added: “I wish I’d tried. I want to say to anyone thinking of running: Just slow down. Don’t run.

"Because once you run too fast, you can’t make up the ground you’ve lost.

"Stop, say what you need, say what you think, don’t be afraid to say what’s really going on. You don’t have to be quiet."

The Strictly runner up has also told how she felt ready to take her own life during the period of turmoil surrounding her marriage and other personal issues.

In an interview with You magazine in February 2021, she said: “For a split second, I was like, ‘I would really like this all to go away’.”

“But I’ve got two little men I know need me more than anything… they’re the only thing that kept me going. Them and my mum.”

Redknapp also opened up on her feelings after taking a step out of the limelight to raise her two sons, and the impact this had on her self-esteem.

Referring to Jamie’s continued success in his career, she said: “Although I was so pleased for him, it was a constant reminder that I wasn’t doing that any more.

“I was the one just putting stuff in the oven, waiting for someone to come home from the job I wished I was doing. And I think that really does take its toll.”

What is her new book about?

Redknapp’s new book is described in its synopsis as a “refreshingly honest perspective” about the experiences that have led Louise to where she is today.

As well as details about her family life, raising her sons and coping with the pressures of the public eye, she also discusses her fertility struggles - having been diagnosed with endometriosis - and her reignited love for performing.

The synopsis says: “Brimming with insight on falling back in love with yourself, managing expectations, overcoming critics, dealing with social media and trusting your instincts as a parent, this is Louise's powerful love letter to anyone who has ever wondered if they're getting it right: you've got this.”

Who are Louise and Jamie dating now?

Jamie Redknapp is now in a relationship with Swedish model, Frida Andersson-Lourie.

He began dating her in August 2020 and she is the first confirmed girlfriend he has had since the divorce.

Andersson-Lourie is also a divorcee and a mother of four children to her ex-husband, American Hedge fund manager Jonathan Lourie.

Louise is currently single, and has had no confirmed relationships since the couple divorced in 2017.