They had been married for almost two decades when they announced their shock split five years ago. But Louise and Jamie Redknapp finally appear to have reached the smooth point in the bumpy road to amicability, as they came together to celebrate their son Charley’s school leaving dinner.
Singer Louise, 47, and former footballer Jamie, 49 – who also share another son, Beau, 13 – posted proud-parent Instagram snaps as Charley, 17, looked to his next chapter, which is thought to be studying at the University of Arizona in the US. An emotional Louise wrote, “So proud of my boy and my best friend. School leavers’ dinner tonight. Next stop, Uni.”
Meanwhile, Jamie, who became a dad for the third time in November when his new wife Frida Andersson welcomed their son Raphael, gushed of his first-born, “I’m so proud of you and the man you’re turning into. You have made incredible friends for life. Ps we might have to work on your bow tie game.”
Louise and Jamie wed in Bermuda in 1998, and seemed to enjoy a blissful marriage, until Lou shocked the world by leaving Jamie in 2016. Their divorce was granted in December 2017, and Louise admitted the aftermath of her decision was a painful time in her life, revealing in an interview that she even considered ending her life for a “split second”, but her boys were the “only thing that kept me going”.
“I would be standing in Central London and would wonder whether it would be easier for a bus to take me out,” she admitted, while also confessing she was tired of being the perfect housewife.
Both Jamie and Louise have admitted the split was not easy, but heat has been told that they’re back on track. “The past few years have been a real roller coaster, but they’ve finally got to a place where they’re both happy for each other and there’s no bitterness,” our insider says.
“Charley and Beau are the most important thing for them and they want to be able to celebrate their milestones. They’ve worked hard on being honest and putting any issues aside when it comes to the kids. They were always good friends and they still enjoy each other’s company.”