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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Victoria Johns

Rachel Stevens' wedding to childhood sweetheart - as S Club star announces sad split

Rachel Stevens pulled out all the stops for her star-studded and lavish wedding to childhood sweetheart Alex Bourne in 2009.

Last night the S Club 7 singer, 44, stunned fans by announcing they were to split after 13 years in a heartbreaking statement.

The couple, who had known each other since they were teens, appeared to have one of the most solid relationships in showbiz - with Rachel bucking the trend of her unlucky in love bandmates.

The pair were married at posh hotel Claridge's in London in an incredibly swish affair.

Rachel looked stunning as she sashayed down the aisle her Mira Zwillinger gown, which was covered in silk organza.

The mum-of-two teamed the dress with some stunning Christian Louboutin heels, giving her petite frame a little lift.

She was accompanied by her stepfather Russell along with two bridesmaids and a pageboy.

Alex, who looked dashing in a charcoal grey Spencer Hart suit, chose Duncan Beiny, aka DJ Yoda to be his best man.

Rachel shot to fame in S Club 7, but reportedly snubbed her bandmates on the day, deciding not to invite them.

However she allegedly made a sweet tribute to her time in the pop group, walking down the aisle to their hit Never Had A Dream Come True.

Rachel and Alex tied the knot in lavish style (msrachelstevens/instagram)
The couple have known each other since school (msrachelstevens/instagram)

Rachel and Alex are both Jewish and honoured their religion at the wedding.

Women were seated to the right in the venue and men, all wearing yarmulkahs (skull caps), were on the left.

Keeping with tradition, the service was conducted by a Rabbi, who oversaw Alex smashing a glass with his feet to celebrate the the marriage being official.

After the ceremony, guests decamped for canapes and cocktails before enjoying a sumptuous feast of sea bass and roast beef with Yorkshire puddings served on a flower strewn dining table.

The couple seen at Claridge's the day before their wedding (Splash News)
Rachel announced the news on Instagram (msrachelstevens/Instagram)

As the evening guests arrived, Strictly stars James and Ola Jordan treated guests to a surprise performance.

Rachel starred on the show with Vincent Simone, who was a guest at the wedding and revealed he wanted to dance with the bride on her big day, but her "dress was too big".

She was walked down the aisle by her stepfather (msrachelstevens/instagram)

As the evening drew to a close, newly wed Alex gushed: "The moment I saw Rachel, I knew she was the girl I wanted to be with forever."

However fast forward 13 years and the couple have sadly announced they have decided to part ways.

Sharing the shocking news on Instagram, Rachel 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.

Flowers were seen arriving on the big day (Splash News)

"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.

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