Louise Redknapp

Louise Elizabeth Redknapp (née Nurding; born 4 November 1974), known simply as Louise, is an English singer, dancer and media personality. She was a member of Eternal, an R&B girl group which debuted in 1993 with their quadruple-platinum studio album Always & Forever. In 1995, she departed from the group for a solo career. Aside from music, Redknapp has presented several television shows and was a judge on the UK version of So You Think You Can Dance. She was married to the English former footballer Jamie Redknapp. In 2016, Redknapp reached the final in the fourteenth series of BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing. Redknapp's memoir entitled You've Got This: And Other Things I Wish I Had Known was released in 2021.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Redknapp has released five studio albums: Naked (1996), Woman in Me (1997), Elbow Beach (2000) and, following a 17-year hiatus from recording, Heavy Love (2020). Redknapp's Greatest Hits was released on 2 June 2023 and contains reimagined versions of her past singles plus five new songs. Her fifth studio album, Confessions, was released in May 2025; a preceding single, "Confession", was released in February 2025.

Early life and education

Redknapp was born Louise Elizabeth Nurding in Lewisham, London.<ref name=Western-Mail-2009-09-20>Template:Cite news</ref> Her father was a builder and her mother worked at Gatwick Airport.<ref name=Mirror-2011-12-11>Template:Cite news</ref> Redknapp and her two younger brothers grew up in Eltham, London, and Oxted, Surrey. She describes herself as having come from a single-parent family with her mother.<ref name=pelley>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

At the age of 11, Redknapp won a scholarship<ref name=pelley/> to the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London, where she met her future Eternal colleague Kéllé Bryan on her first day.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Career

1989–1995: Career beginnings and Eternal

While out clubbing at the age of 15, Redknapp met the music manager Oliver Smallman of First Avenue Management, who was forming an all-girl group.<ref name=Mirror-2011-12-11/><ref name=Western-Mail-2009-03-21/> She subsequently introduced Denis to Kéllé Bryan.<ref name=Western-Mail-2009-03-21>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="brigatti">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Kéllé and Redknapp, together with sisters Easther and Vernie Bennett, formed the band Eternal in 1992.<ref name=Western-Mail-2009-03-21/> The group performed R&B, and recorded a number of hits during the 1990s.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Eternal's debut single "Stay" entered the UK charts at number sixteen and climbed to number four.<ref name=Western-Mail-2009-09-20/> Redknapp left the group in 1995 to pursue a solo career,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> amid unsubstantiated rumours that she was forced to leave because a radio station in the United States dedicated to black music would not promote the racially mixed group.<ref name=ST-1997-11-30>Template:Cite news</ref> Redknapp said that she left because she was miserable and homesick.<ref name=pelley/>

1995–1997: Naked and Woman in Me

In late 1995, Redknapp signed a record deal with First Avenue management and EMI Records. Now professionally known simply as "Louise", her debut solo single was the orchestral ballad "Light of My Life" (which reached number eight on the UK charts). Her second solo release, "In Walked Love" (previously a hit from the self-titled 1992 album by the dance/pop group Exposé), fared less well and missed the UK top ten. However, Redknapp's third single, "Naked", turned things around and became her biggest hit to date, peaking at number five in the UK. Redknapp's debut solo album, also entitled Naked, was subsequently released in 1996 on the back of the single's success. The album received lukewarm reviews,Template:Citation needed but nevertheless peaked at number seven on the UK Albums Chart. It was later certified Platinum by the BPI for over 400,000 copies sold in the UK alone and over a million copies worldwide. Two further singles were released: "Undivided Love" (UK No. 5) and "One Kiss from Heaven" (UK No. 9).

In 1997, Redknapp returned with the single "Arms Around the World", which reached number four in the UK. Her second solo album, Woman in Me, peaked at number five in the UK and went on to gain platinum status in the UK and sold over a million units worldwide. The album also made an impact across Europe, charting in a number of countries. To support and celebrate the success of the album, Redknapp embarked on a UK-wide 'sell-out' arena tour of over twenty dates, including Wembley Arena. "Let's Go Round Again" (a cover of a song by the Average White Band) was the second single released from the album, which reached number ten. She was voted "Sexiest Woman in the World" by the readers of SKY Magazine in 1997.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

2002–2016: Lil' Lou and music hiatus

In 2002, Redknapp signed with Positive Records (a division of Universal Music) to record her fourth solo album. The album, titled Lil' Lou was due for release in 2004 alongside the double A-side "Pandora's Kiss"/"Don't Give Up", which peaked at number five and raised money for Tickled Pink/Breast Cancer Care.<ref name=":0" /> Redknapp submitted "about 10 or 12 tracks" for the album to the label. However, due to the singer becoming pregnant with her son Charley, the album was never released.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The album would also have included Redknapp's first duet with boy band 3rd Wish on the track "Don't Ever Change".Template:Citation needed

Later, on 15 September 2023, Louise released the Lil' Lou extended play, which featured five previously unreleased songs originally recorded for the unreleased album.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The EP debuted and peaked at number 73 on the UK Albums Downloads Chart one week later.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In the July 2004 edition of FHM magazine, Redknapp was named the "Sexiest Woman of the Decade".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

2017–2024: Heavy Love and Greatest Hits

In August 2017, Redknapp posted a picture of herself in the recording studio on her Instagram account, showing that she had been working on new music. On 13 September 2017, Redknapp revealed she would be returning to the music industry by announcing her first live show in more than 15 years at Under The Bridge in London on 22 December 2017. Titled 'Intimate & Live', the show had enough demand for tickets selling out in under 5 minutes, leading promoters and Redknapp to announce additional dates for January 2018 in Manchester, Glasgow, and Birmingham.Template:Citation needed On 1 February 2018, Warner/Chappell UK confirmed Redknapp had signed a deal with them to release new material later in the year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On 10 November 2022, Redknapp released the single "Super Magic".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In an interview with Fault magazine, Redknapp shared, "I wanted to make music I loved rather than just ticking a box for what worked in the industry. I think I’ve forever had to fight to prove myself [...] I’m still fighting to prove myself. I feel that the hardest hurdle is to keep on knocking down those doors to prove myself."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> "Super Magic" is Redknapp's first release under BMG.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It debuted at number 89 on the UK Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100 on 18 November 2022.<ref name="auto">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 12 January 2023, Redknapp announced that her Greatest Hits collection, spanning thirty years in the music industry, would be released in June 2023. The compilation will contain five new songs, including a cover of Janet Jackson's 1997 single "Together Again".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the same month, Louise revealed she had been cast as Teen Angel in the summer 2023 production of Grease.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Louise released reimagined versions of her singles "Just A Step From Heaven" and "Naked" as promotional singles from her Greatest Hits compilation.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Her single "High Hopes" was released on 27 April 2023.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 1 June 2023, Louise performed in concert at the Shepherd's Bush Empire;<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Michelle Gayle appeared as a guest and former Eternal bandmate Kéllé Bryan made a surprise appearance on stage to perform 1994 single "Crazy".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Louise's compilation album Greatest Hits was released on 2 June 2023.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 25 September 2023, it was reported that Redknapp and her former bandmate Kéllé Bryan had pulled out of a purported Eternal reunion tour scheduled for 2024 after a row occurred because their former bandmates, sisters Easther and Vernie Bennett, purportedly refused to play at LGBTQ and Pride events over objections that the trans community had "hijacked" Pride.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

2025–present: Confessions

On 13 February 2025, Louise released the single "Confession",<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and announced her fifth studio album, Confessions, which was released in May 2025.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The album debuted at number 8 on the UK Albums Chart Top 100, becoming her first album since 1997's Woman in Me to reach the top 10.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Television career

On television, Redknapp has presented editions of SMTV Live, CD:UK, Soccer Aid: Extra Time, This Morning, three series of the revived The Clothes Show for UKTV Style, and in March 2007 the controversial documentary The Truth About Size Zero for ITV.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Louise Redknapp has been seen as the face of a number of advertising campaigns: the "Safe and White" campaign for Boots, Flora's "Omega 3" products, Boots and BT. She became brand ambassador for Orbit gum in 2007<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2009, Louise Redknapp filmed a follow-up documentary The Truth About Super Skinny Pregnancies displaying the pressures on women to stay in shape during and after their pregnancies. Later that year in September 2009, Redknapp presented The Farmer Wants a Wife for Five, a relaunch of a series that originally appeared on ITV in 2001.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2009, Redknapp was also announced as the face of online fashion retailer Fashion Union. The following year in January 2010, Redknapp took over as the full-time presenter of the BBC Sunday morning programme Something for the Weekend for two years.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Redknapp was a judge on the UK version of So You Think You Can Dance, broadcast on BBC One.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2011, Redknapp made her acting debut alongside Ray Winstone as Diana Smith in the feature film The Hot Potato. Redknapp had a cosmetic range named Wild About Beauty, which she launched with make-up artist Kim Jacob;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> which she sold in 2017.

On 15 August 2016, Redknapp was announced as a contestant for the fourteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> She reached the 2016 finals with professional dancer Kevin Clifton.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In April 2018, Redknapp made her radio debut, guest-presenting two evening shows on Heart, on Sunday 8 April and Sunday 15 April.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In May 2021, Redknapp appeared on The Masked Dancer masked as Flamingo. She was the second celebrity to be unmasked.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> That same month, Redknapp appeared on the first series of BBC game show I Can See Your Voice, performing "Let's Go Round Again".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Other endeavours

In 2003, Redknapp published a magazine called Icon, aimed solely at professional sports stars and celebrities with then-husband Jamie Redknapp and former footballer Tim Sherwood. They later sold the magazine to another publisher.

Personal life

Nurding married football player Jamie Redknapp at a ceremony in Bermuda on 29 June 1998.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> They have two sons.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Prior to giving birth to her first son, Redknapp suffered from endometriosis, which was treated with laser surgery.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The couple confirmed in September 2017 that they had separated.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A family court in central London granted a decree nisi for divorce after 19 years of marriage on 29 December 2017.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In December 2024, Redknapp was banned from driving for six months, after police caught her using her mobile phone whilst driving.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Philanthropy

In 2003, Redknapp's double A-side single "Pandora's Kiss/Don't Give Up", was released to raise money for Breast Cancer Care's "Tickled Pink" campaign.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref> She also participated in a celebrity edition of The Apprentice in 2008, to raise money for charity.<ref>"Louise Redknapp to appear in Sport Relief Does The Apprentice for charity", Charities Aid Foundation, 28 February 2008. Retrieved 29 February 2008.</ref> Redknapp organised a charity sale of celebrity designer clothes at the London department store Selfridges for the charity Mothers4Children in November 2009.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Discography

Studio albums

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions				Certifications
		UK <ref name="UK">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	FRA <ref name="FRA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>		NLD <ref name="NLD">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	SCO <ref name="UK"/>
Naked	Released: 24 June 1996 Label: EMI Format: CD, cassette, digital download, streaming	7	—	—	16	BPI: Platinum<ref>Template:Cite certification</ref>
Woman in Me	Released: 6 October 1997 Label: EMI Format: CD, cassette, digital download, streaming	5	65	76	11	BPI: Platinum<ref>Template:Cite certification</ref>
Elbow Beach	Released: 31 July 2000 Label: EMI Format: CD, cassette, digital download, streaming	12	—	—	23	BPI: Silver<ref>Template:Cite certification</ref>
Heavy Love	Released: 17 January 2020 Label: Warner, Lil Lou Format: CD, LP, cassette, digital download, streaming	11	—	—	6
Confessions	Released: 23 May 2025 Label: Lil Lou Format: CD, LP, cassette, digital download, streaming	8	—	—	7

Compilation albums

List of compilation albums, with selected details, chart positions and certifications

Title	Year	Chart positions	Certifications
		UK <ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">Template:Cite book</ref>
Changing Faces – The Best of Louise	Released: 10 September 2001 Label: Parlophone Format: CD, digital download	9	BPI: Silver<ref>Template:Cite certification</ref>
Finest Moments	Released: 23 December 2002 Label: Parlophone Format: CD, digital download	—
Greatest Hits	Released: 2 June 2023<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Label: BMG Format: CD, streaming, digital download	11

Extended plays

List of compilation albums, with selected details, chart positions and certifications

Title	Year	Chart positions
		UK Digital
Lil' Lou	Released: 15 September 2023 Label: Tag8; BMG Format: Digital download, streaming	73<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Singles

List of singles, showing year, selected chart positions and album

Title	Year	Chart positions						Album
		UK <ref name="UK"/>	AUS <ref>Template:Cite Ryan</ref>	FRA <ref name="FRA"/>	IRL <ref>Peaks of singles in Ireland: "Light of My Life" and "2 Faced": {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }} "Stuck in the Middle with You": {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>		NLD <ref name="NLD"/>	SCO <ref>Peaks of singles in Scotland: "Light of My Life": {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }} "In Walked Love": {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }} "Naked": {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }} "Undivided Love": {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }} "One Kiss from Heaven": {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }} "Arms Around the World": {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }} "Let's Go Round Again": {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }} "All That Matters": {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }} "2 Faced": {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }} "Beautiful Inside": {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }} "Stuck in the Middle with You": {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }} "Pandora's Kiss": {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
"Light of My Life"	1995	8	—	—	18	—	11	Naked {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
"In Walked Love"	1996	17	—	—	—	—	22
"Naked"		5	70	—	—	—	7
"Undivided Love"		5	—	—	—	—	7
"One Kiss from Heaven"		9	—	—	—	—	13
"Arms Around the World"	1997	4	—	—	—	95	9	Woman in Me {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
"Let's Go Round Again"		10	—	30	—	70	8
"All That Matters"	1998	11	—	—	—	—	13
"2 Faced"	2000	3	—	—	13	—	4	Elbow Beach {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
"Beautiful Inside"		13	—	—	—	—	17
"Stuck in the Middle with You"	2001	4	—	—	44	—	3	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
"Pandora's Kiss/Don't Give Up"	2003	5	—	—	—	—	5	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
"Stretch"<ref name="Heavy Love">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2019	—	—	—	—	—	—	Heavy Love {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
"Lead Me On"<ref name="Lead Me On">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>		—	—	—	—	—	—
"Breaking Back Together"	—		—	—	—	—	—
"Not the Same"<ref name="Not the Same">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>		—	—	—	—	—	—
"Hurt"<ref name="Hurt">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>		—	—	—	—	—	—
"Super Magic"<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2022	—Template:Efn	—	—	—	—	—	Greatest Hits {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
"High Hopes"	2023	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Confession"	2025	—Template:Efn	—	—	—	—	—	Confessions {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
"Borderline"		—	—	—	—	—	—
"Only Dancer"		—	—	—	—	—	—

Promotional singles

List of promotional singles

Song	Year	Album
"Better Back Off"	2000	Elbow Beach
"Small Talk"<ref name="Small Talk">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2019	Heavy Love
"Hammer"
"Just a Step from Heaven (Reimagined)"	2023	Greatest Hits
"Naked (Reimagined)"
"Love Me More"	2025	Confessions

Tours

• Soft & Gentle No Sweat Tour (1997)
• Changing Faces Tour (2001)
• Louise Intimate and Live (2017/2018)
• Heavy Love Tour (2020)

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations received by Louise Redknapp

Award	Year	Category	Nominee(s)	Result	Template:Abbr
Brit Awards	1997	British Female Solo Artist	Herself	Template:Nom	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	1998			Template:Nom	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
NME Awards	1998	Best Solo Artist		Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
		Most Desirable Person		Template:Won
	1999	The Pop Personality You Would Most Like To Be Marooned On A Desert Island With		Template:Won
Smash Hits Poll Winners Party	1996	Best Female Singer		Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
		Best Album	Naked	Template:Nom
		Best Album Cover		Template:Nom
	2000	Most Fanciable Female	Herself	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
		Best Dressed Female		Template:Nom {{safesubst:#if:|

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External links

• Official website
• [https://www.imdb.com/{{#if: 0521932

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• Computer and Video Games issue 193, December 1997