Tragic loss behind X Factor star Jeremy Edwards’ split from Rachel Stevens

Jeremy Edwards and Rachel Stevens were the Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan of their day.

The gossip mags couldn’t get enough of the red hot romance between the Hollyoaks-turned-Holby City actor and the S Club 7 pin-up.

Their relationship moved fast, and X Factor : Celebrity star Jeremy popped the question after just 18 months on Valentine’s Day 2002 during dinner at London’s swish hotel, The Dorchester.

Rachel – who’d fancied Jeremy since she first clapped eyes on him as Kurt Benson in Hollyoaks – immediately said yes.

“I really didn’t have a clue he was going to do it and am thrilled to pieces,” the then 23 year old gushed. “We are both so happy.”

But within a year, the cracks were beginning to show.

Rachel’s demanding job with S Club meant taking time off for a wedding was out of the question.

And Jeremy, then playing health care assistant Danny Shaughnessy in BBC One’ Holby, shared his frustrations, telling heat magazine, “It’s impossible.”

He continued, “We’ve only just found out that she’s got three weeks off now. We’ve got to try and book a holiday today but that means me begging and pleading for time off from Holby. How can we possibly organise a wedding?”

But a tragedy that would derail Jeremy entirely struck on June 15 when his Holby co-star, Laura Sadler, plunged 40 ft to her death from a balcony while watching the sun rise at her boyfriend’s home in Holland Park, London.

The 22 year old sustained massive head injuries and died in hospital five days later, leaving Jeremy, then 31, bereft.

“Everybody in the cast is completely devastated and is asking the same question, ‘Why her?'” he told the BBC.

“You couldn’t meet a sweeter, nicer, more wonderful girl. She was the kindest person and even actor friends of mine who did just one episode with her are mortified. She was just the loveliest little thing.”

Crippled with grief, he began drinking too much and just months later, Rachel ended their relationship.

“It was a tough time for me. After Laura’s death I got really messed up. I was drinking a hell of a lot and got seriously depressed,” he told heat.

“It really shook me up. Losing such a close friend pushed me off the rails and sadly Rachel got caught up in my mess.

“It was at this point she confronted me about my problems and we agreed to have a break.”

The pair didn’t speak for an entire month until Jeremy “realised what my behaviour was making me lose,” and they reunited.

“Rachel means the world to me and I couldn’t believe what was happening to our relationship. I needed a serious reality check and that’s what I got,” he added.

However, they shelved their plans for marriage with Jeremy stating he needed to “grow up a bit” before making a committment.

He also disapproved of the sexy image overhaul she underwent to launch her solo career, explaining he wanted Rachel to be known for her talent, not her looks.

“I just don’t think it’s necessary,” he told Now magazine.

“It seems that the easiest way for a young girl to sell records is to get her kit off and get herself in the tabloids, but I think there’s a danger of being known for that instead of your talent.

“Rachel’s a really good singer and I worry that her image will overshadow that. But the suits seem to think that they know what they’re doing, so we just have to go along with it.”

Then in January 2004, the pair confirmed they had parted ways for good, explaining that although the decision was ‘sad’, it was ‘the right one’.

Rachel went on to marry childhood friend Alex Bourne in a lavish ceremony at Claridge’s hotel in London’s Mayfair in 2009.

They have two children, daughters Amelie, eight, and Minnie, five.

Meanwhile, Jeremy married Lydia Metz that same year and they have daughter Scarlett.