Birmingham-born singer and actress Jamelia has opened up about the abrupt end of her marriage while she was four months pregnant. The artist, known for her early 2000s hit “Superstar” and her role on Channel 4 soap “Hollyoaks,” revealed that she and her husband, whom she married in 2017, split in 2022.
Speaking on the “My Mate Bought a Toaster” podcast, the 45-year-old described the surprising way her marriage ended. “Literally. I was like, ‘Oh, what’s up with you?’ He’s like, ‘Oh, I’m leaving.’ I was like, ‘Oh, okay.’ Lovely guy. Like, what a husband. Sorry. I can laugh about it now. It’s fine,” she said.
Jamelia has four daughters: True, eight, and Jream, three, with her second husband; and Teja, 25, and Tiani, 20, from previous relationships. She alleged that her ex-husband, whose name she has not made public, is a “deadbeat dad” who has no involvement in their daughters' lives and does not inquire about them.
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The singer, originally from Handsworth and now based in Dubai, also shared how the collapse of her marriage influenced her decision to leave her role as Dr Sharon Bailey on “Hollyoaks.” She joined the cast in 2022 while expecting, becoming a permanent member in 2023 and being offered a further 12-month contract. Despite her love for the role, Jamelia declined the extension, citing concerns about coping with the pressures of filming while caring for her children amid personal upheaval. “I hadn’t really healed from what had happened to me-my husband leaving and our whole kind of life changing. I did get offered another year and I would have loved to have done it, but I just thought, ‘You know what, this is where I’m going to crack.'”
In 2024, she relocated her family from Birmingham to Dubai, seeking a fresh start. She cited safety, family support, and a new environment as key reasons for the move. Jamelia praised the city for its peaceful atmosphere, especially for women and girls, stating, “Contrary to popular belief, it’s just such a beautiful place for women and girls. We’re so well looked after. Also, as a single mother, it’s just such a peaceful place. My daughters can go for a walk at like midnight if they wanted to and I wouldn’t bat an eyelid.”
Jamelia was previously married to former footballer Darren Byfield, 49, who is the father of her daughter Tiani. Their marriage lasted for 17 months, from June 2008 until November 2009.