Atomic Kitten star Natasha Hamilton returned to her Merseyside roots to modify on Liscard’s Christmas lights, opening up about her Hashimoto’s illness analysis, new music plans and life as a mum-of-five

Natasha Hamilton has shared an enormous perception into the way forward for Atomic Kitten. At 42, Natasha, mother-of-five and singer, is embracing a full-circle second as she returns to her roots to assist elevate her hometown’s spirits throughout what locals have known as their “worst Christmas ever.” As soon as the teenage woman belting out songs in Liscard pubs at simply 13, Natasha is now the lady lighting up the district — fairly actually — by climbing to the highest of a 30ft Norwegian Pine to modify on the lights for a group so near the place she grew up. “Liscard has such a particular place in my coronary heart,” she stated.

“It wasn’t nearly turning on a tree,” she tells us with that acquainted mixture of Northern heat and honesty. “It was about giving the group their Christmas again.” And it’s a group that wants the increase. With Asda analysis exhibiting 73% of Brits feeling the “Grinch Pinch”, Liscard’s festive celebrations have been scaled again in recent times – even turning into identified on-line for having “the worst Christmas tree in Britain.”

However this yr, after the group reached out asking for assist, Asda stepped in. What adopted was a joyful transformation, with Natasha main the comeback in true headline-making style.

READ MORE: Aldi simply dropped a sizzling chocolate maker that is £150 cheaper than Smeg

“I can’t lie, being lifted up 30ft within the air on a cherry picker whereas the wind was blowing was terrifying!” she laughs. “My daughter was shouting, ‘Mummy, come down!’ However the second the lights went on, and I noticed everybody cheering… it was unimaginable. It felt like hope.”

The night time was greater than a festive switch-on; it was a reunion between Natasha and the city that formed her. Born and raised in Liverpool, she spent her early teenagers performing throughout the Wirral earlier than taking pictures to worldwide fame as a part of Atomic Kitten. The trio, identified for smash hits like Complete Once more and The Tide Is Excessive, bought tens of millions, toured the world and have become a defining woman band of the 2000s.

“We had been simply children,” she displays. “However Liverpool and the Wirral championed us from day one. I nonetheless really feel that love — I can’t go into Liverpool with out somebody shouting my title!” and whether or not the Atomic Kitten clan will likely be reuniting, Natasha says: “By no means say by no means, at this second there are not any plans, however I’m nonetheless very near Jenny, and Liz and also you by no means know what might occur.”

It’s that nostalgia and sisterhood that Natasha dives into in her newest mission, Girlbands Ceaselessly, the tell-all TV documentary revisiting the highs and lows of woman group life. “It was a 44-hour interview condensed into a couple of minutes,” she says. “It was exhausting however actually cathartic. I remembered issues I hadn’t considered in years. And what struck me most was how many people, in numerous bands, had been going via the identical pressures — however we had been at all times being pitted in opposition to one another. It made me actually appreciative of what we really achieved, and really proud to have represented the North West in such a pivotal method in pop music.”

She lights up when she talks in regards to the friendships that got here later. “Doing The Huge Reunion in 2013 was like remedy for all of us. We lastly acquired to know one another as actual folks, not simply band members. It felt like household.” However after topping the charts for 3 many years, what’s Natasha most happy with? Whereas there are too many achievements, she defined: “My profession spotlight could be taking part in the lead position of Mrs Johnstone on the West Finish, and on the time I used to be the youngest feminine actress to play the position. The sensation of sheer aid on the finish of the present is in contrast to something I’ve ever skilled.”

Household is central to all the things Natasha does — and with kids aged 2, 11, 13, 19 and 21, her family is a bustling whirlwind of routines, faculty performs, teenage milestones and toddler magic. This Christmas is the primary her youngest daughter will actually perceive, and Natasha beams with delight as she talks about taking her to see Santa. “She completely cherished it. It was magical.”

Her different kids are simply as busy. “Alfie carried out in Grease final week, and Ella had a solo in her Christmas present… they find it irresistible! And my eldest son, Josh, got here dwelling from Australia final Christmas — that was the perfect reward ever.” However how does Natasha get herself prepared for Christmas? She defined: “We do the reindeer meals leaving carrots and sprinkle rainbow glitter on the doorstep to indicate he’s been, depart milk and cookies for Santa yearly. Christmas Day is at all times about having festive household enjoyable, it will get fairly aggressive at occasions with the video games, after which karaoke comes out on the finish of the day.”

Motherhood, nevertheless, has taught Natasha the significance of stability. Recognized final yr with Hashimoto’s illness, she’s discovered to decelerate. “It makes you realise you’re not invincible. Some days should be mushy days. I’ve not had a drink for eight weeks — I’m simply filling my very own cup.”

Regardless of her full dwelling life, Natasha’s artistic drive exhibits no signal of slowing. After many years within the business, she’s now constructing one thing of her personal: an unbiased document label, Morpho Data. “I need to help the subsequent wave of UK pop artists,” she tells us proudly. Her first signing, Kai Bosh, is already gearing up for an enormous 2026. And Natasha isn’t stopping there — she’s releasing brand-new music herself, with an EP and lead single arriving in January.

“I’m actually prepared for subsequent yr,” she says with a vivid smile. “It’s going to be unimaginable.” However earlier than one other whirlwind of releases, filming and faculty runs kicks in, the Hamilton family will likely be doing Christmas in the way in which they know finest — loud, joyful and full of affection.

“It’s karaoke, dancing across the kitchen desk, foolish video games, disco lights… and wrapping the lounge door so the children should burst via it within the morning,” she laughs. “Full chaos — however the perfect chaos.”

For a lady who’s spent greater than 25 years within the public eye, Natasha nonetheless feels misunderstood at occasions. “Individuals suppose I’m powerful. I’ve needed to be. However beneath I’m so mushy — I cry at all the things.”

Like this story? For extra of the most recent showbiz information and gossip, comply with Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Fb , YouTube and Threads .