EXCLUSIVE: Former HearSay singer Suzanne Shaw invites us into her Somerset home as she introduces the latest rather adorable member of the family
Suzanne Shaw’s life in sleepy Somerset is a far cry from her rollercoaster days in the pop band Hear’Say. She is now a doting – and very glamorous – grandmother.
Her eldest son Corey, 21 – who she shares with West End star Darren Day – and his partner Erin Mitchell, 20, welcomed their first baby on 26 March – and Suzanne, who’s still as fresh-faced as ever at 44, became “Zaza” to baby Colton.
The former Emmerdale star tells the Mirror that she’s been swapping notes with her former bandmate Kym Marsh, who became a grandma in 2019. “I’ve spoken to Kym loads,” she tells us. “It’s great to have a friend in a similar position to me, being a young nana.
“Kym reassured me that I didn’t need to be a nanny or granny and could find my own name. I’m calling myself Zaza. We’ll see if that sticks. We’ve been sharing pics of our grandkids, of course. We’re two very proud ‘glammas’.”
But thrilled as she may be, Suzanne admits becoming a grandmother at 44 has taken a bit of getting used to. “I can’t even say the ‘g’ word out loud,” she laughs.
The youthful star has been mistaken for Colton’s mum, on occasion. “Corey and I went into a shop together and the assistant asked how old the baby was. He was eight weeks at the time and she went, ‘You’re looking spritely for giving birth two months ago.’ I said, ‘I didn’t, I’m Grandma.’ She looked shocked.”
Suzanne admits the birth came at a time when she “needed an injection of love and light” following her split from her fiancé of 12 years, businessman Sam Greenfield.
The former couple, who share ten-year-old son Rafferty, broke up in January and while Suzanne isn’t yet ready to go into the details, she concedes it’s been a difficult time.
“It’s been tough. I’m just trying to navigate the loss of what I didn’t think I’d ever lose,” she shares. “Hopefully, with time, I’ll heal and co-parenting with Sam can run smoothly. We’re doing our best to make sure it can. I’m enjoying my family, even if it looks a little different now.”
Another upside to Colton’s arrival has been Suzanne’s successful reunion with her ex Darren, who she dated for 18 months in the early 2000s.
When Erin was admitted to hospital for an induction due to pre-gestational diabetes, it was 57-year-old Darren who kept Suzanne company while they waited for an update. “It was lovely, actually,” says Suzanne. “We sat there, waiting with bated breath, reminiscing and having a laugh. It was fun.”
The all-important call came sooner than expected. “Darren had only been there half an hour when Corey rang and said, ‘Want to come see your grandson?'”
Suzanne and Darren drove to the hospital in separate cars to meet the new baby and, once there, emotions ran high. “I held him in my arms and it was incredible.
“I burst into tears – bubbles, the whole lot. I didn’t want to hand him over. I was like, ‘Just 30 more seconds.’ But Darren had been very patient, so it was time to let Colton meet his grandad.”
Despite an acrimonious split some 20 years ago, when Corey was months old, Suzanne says reconnecting with her ex, who she met while starring in theatre show Summer Holiday, has been “really lovely”.
“They do say time heals,” says Suzanne, who last saw Darren in person at Corey’s 18th birthday. “We’ve been on good terms for a long time now and still message each other regarding Corey. Now, with the new baby, we’re in touch a lot more.
“I was really proud of us to get to that point at the hospital. It was really special to be able to share that moment together, as Corey’s mum and dad.”
Suzanne adores being a hands-on gran with Colton, as well as bonding with Aaron, Erin’s gorgeous two-year-old son from a previous relationship.
“With Colton I can go, ‘Great, I don’t need to do a night feed. I’m handing him back.’ You have such deep love for a grandchild, without the stress of keeping them alive.”
She’s been roped into some light babysitting duties, and Corey and Erin, who live close by, recently managed a rare night out at the cinema. However, she may be taking on more soon, as nursery worker Erin is about to return to work and Corey is already back full-time at his marketing job.
The idea of Corey having a baby was quite an adjustment, Suzanne admits, as she wasn’t even sure if her own baby-making days were over. “Sam and I were still talking about it, so it was getting my head around that being off the cards.”
Corey is clearly as besotted with his baby son as new mum Erin. “I love how Corey is so hands-on,” Suzanne says proudly. “I think it’s the big age difference between him and Raffi. Corey helped me with Raffi, changing nappies and feeding him when he was 12, 13.”
As for Raffi, who is football mad and plays for a local academy, it’s clear that not only does he look up to his big brother, but he’s a little gentleman, at one point complimenting Erin on a dress she wore for our shoot.
“I was taken aback when he said, ‘Oh wow, you look beautiful, Erin,'” laughs Suzanne. “But it’s important that he grows up really respecting women. That was important for both my boys.
“I was doing a speaking gig at a school recently and they were talking about how bad misogyny is right now. It’s scary.”
Suzanne, who now works as a motivational speaker and empowerment coach, is passionate about self-development, which has helped her.
“I’ve had a lot of lessons thrown my way,” she admits. “Then life throws you another curve ball and you’re like, ‘God, I’ve got more growing to do. I’m thankful I have the tools I’ve got, because I think the break-up would have been a lot messier without them.
“The irony was, on New Year’s Eve I wrote in my journal that this year I wanted to embrace the mess – the ups, the downs. Be careful what you wish for!”
Right now, Suzanne, who has never had long breaks between relationships, is adjusting to the single life. Asked if she’s even contemplating another romance, she shakes her head firmly.
She says, “I’m not there yet. This is a chance for me to fully get to know myself, so I can attract the right people. Otherwise, I’m just going to keep bringing back these people who aren’t right.
“Right now, I’ve got plenty on my plate with work, being an embarrassing football mum and being Zaza.”
As for her old bandmates – Kym, Myleene Klass, Noel Sullivan and Danny Foster – Suzanne has remained in touch, and looks back on her Hear’Say days with fondness.
“I have amazing memories,” says the star, who shot to fame after appearing on ITV talent show Popstars.
“I’ll never forget our UK arena tour, or performing with stars like Sir Elton John and Lionel Richie. We had a rollercoaster ride and it wasn’t always easy, but I’ll always have a very special bond with my bandmates.”
For now, she is happy to focus on her family and her work, which includes an appearance at the upcoming Festival Of Sport next month at Packington Estate in Warwickshire, where she’s headlining the Wellness Zone.
When it comes to showbusiness, Suzanne is happy to dip in and out. “I find big showbiz events quite overwhelming,” she admits.
“I used to cope with the pressures by drinking, going for retail therapy and chasing instant dopamine hits. These days, I have a whole wellness routine.
“I’m aware of how my mental health can dip, so I really take care of that. I haven’t had a drink for six years and I prefer a cosy night at home and to be in bed by 9pm. You honestly wouldn’t recognise me,” she laughs.
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