Myleene Klass has confessed to feeling “feeling emotional” and says her “throat is closing” as she braces herself for a significant family shift.
The Loose Women panel member’s eldest daughter, Ava, 17, whom she shares with ex-husband Graham Quinn, is set to head to university in September. It will leave Myleene and partner Simon Motson at home with children, Hero, 13, and five-year-old Apollo.
The 46-year-old Smooth Radio presenter accepts her daughter needs to leave the nest. Speaking to Woman’s Own magazine, she said: “My daughter is leaving for university this year, and I’m feeling emotional.”
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When asked if she is experiencing “empty nest syndrome”, Myleene replied: “I absolutely am, and as I tell you this my throat is closing. I did say to her, however, the only thing worse than you leaving is you staying.”
Myleene emphasises the importance of Ava exploring the world independently. It seems Ava is poised to emulate her mother’s career as a classically trained musician, reports Wales Online.
The youngster is currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music and Myleene says she would like to read academic music at university. She however admits “no one knows” where the youngster will end up.
Myleene herself mastered the piano and violin during her teenage years, before studying voice and harp at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Her big break came in 2001 when she successfully auditioned for Popstars, earning a spot in Hear’Say.
The band enjoyed two number one singles before parting ways in 2002. Myleene then embarked on a solo career and transitioned into television in 2005 with CD:UK.
More recently, she has been an advocate for improved rights for women who have suffered miscarriages, having experienced four herself. Myleene is pushing for legislation to extend paid bereavement leave for women following a miscarriage.
She also supports changes to the Women’s Health Strategy to ensure women don’t have to endure up to three miscarriages before receiving help. Her advocacy work led to her recognition for services to women’s health in the New Year’s Honours list.
The former I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! star expressed her pride at being awarded an MBE. In a conversation with the BBC, she stated: “If you suffered three heart attacks you wouldn’t only be offered support after the third one and so it shouldn’t be the same with baby loss.”
Myleene, who presented a Bafta-nominated documentary in 2021 titled Myleene Klass: Miscarriage And Me, admits it “never gets easier” to discuss her miscarriages.
She further added: “A miscarriage is not a dark secret that women have to hide away and I won’t stop campaigning until every woman and family has the support they need.”