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Heather Small in a dress sitting in a yellow chair© Mark Setchfield

Inside Heather Small's private life ahead of Wet Wet Wet tour

The former M People singer is known for her hit song Proud

Matthew Moore
Online News Writer & Diversity and Inclusion Lead
Updated: February 5, 2025
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Heather Small is one of our favourite singers, after her time M People, however, she also had a glittering solo career with her instantly recognisable song, Proud.

Alongside her music career, Heather has appeared on Strictly Come Dancing and The Masked Singer, while also raising money for numerous charitable causes. The star also previously dated a rugby legend and has a son with him..

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The singer, who recently turned 60, is celebrating the major milestone by touring with Wet Wet Wet. Here's all you need to know about Heather…

Career

Heather started her career when she was still a teenager, joining Hot House. Following its disbanding in 1990, the singer joined M People, enjoying considerable success with hits like Moving On Up and One Night in Heaven.

The members of M People with an award© Getty Images
Heather achieved global stardom with M People

When the band went their separate ways in 1998, Heather released her debut solo album just two years later. The album contained the single Proud, which became the star's most famous song, used in shows including Miranda and being linked with the British Olympic team.

Heather released her second solo album, Close to a Miracle, in 2006. A third album, Colour My Life, was released in 2022.

Thankfully, the singer has no intention of going anywhere. She told us in an exclusive interview: "Ella Fitzgerald sang until she was quite old and so did Nina Simone, and they didn't lose their voices. Back in the 1990s, people used to ask me: 'What do you want?' And I always used to say that I just wanted to be singing, because it's my dream.

"When I get on stage and I’ve got my mic, I feel as though I run things. I'm always trying to be on top of my game, because there's a magic moment when you feel like you're at one with everyone. And that’s quite a spiritual feeling."

Famous ex and son

During the 1990s, Heather was in a relationship with England rugby player Shaun Edwards. Reflecting on their relationship in 2012 with the Standard, Shaun said: "I met her backstage after a concert in Bradford 16 years ago.

"She is probably the most single-minded person I have ever met. Heather didn't drink, smoke, drink milk, nor eat meat. She goes to bed at 10.30 at night and is in the gym at 6 in the morning."

Shaun Edwards in a red uniform© World Rugby via Getty Images
Heather and Shaun had a long-term relationship before their split

The couple's son, James Small-Edwards, has gone down an entirely different route from his famous parents, entering the world of politics. James was elected to Westminster Council in 2022 and was successfully elected to the London Assembly in 2024.

Heather Small with her son James Small-Edwards and Kathryn Jenkins© Getty Images
Heather and Shaun share a son

The star is incredibly proud of her son's career path, and told HELLO!: "He worked so hard and put his heart and soul into everything. Like all young people, he needed to have the sun shining on him throughout his childhood. We made sure he had the belief to go out there and be himself. I've always wanted to make sure that he knew my career was not first; me being his mother came first."

James Small-Edwards with a renamed city road© Getty Images
James (far-left) has become a London-based politician

Speaking of raising her son, Heather told the Guardian in 2022: "With James being of dual heritage, it was important he knew his Bajan side as well as having pride in his dad's white, working-class, northern upbringing. Taking him to Barbados, I could show him a world where women who looked like his mum, gran, and aunt were doing everything from being a judge in court to sweeping the roads."

Charity work

Alongside her singing career, Heather has been a notable philanthropist, raising money for MenCap, Action Breaks Silence and Smile Train among others.

Heather Small holding an MBE© Instagram
Heather recieved her MBE in 2024

Speaking exclusively to HELLO! about her generosity, she explained: "People talk about giving back, but it's about having a sense of community and allyship. We're all here to help each other move forward. If someone's suffering, we're all suffering."

On the day she recieved her MBE, Heather explained: "It was really amazing. I didn't know what to expect and I was a little nervous, because you think protocol. But my mother was with me, my sister and my son. It was just a lovely family day. Everyone is so kind to you and so patient there. Everybody keeps saying to you, 'It's your day,enjoy the day.'"

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