Rebecca Ferguson thinks having a child when she was 18 was the "best thing" to ever happen to her.
The ‘Nothing’s Real But Love’ hitmaker – who has Lillie, 14, and Karl, 11, with ex-boyfriend Karl Duress and Arabella, four, from a past relationship – insisted becoming a parent so young was "hugely positive" because it gave her the drive to keep going and focus on reaching her goals.
She explained: "Having kids at that age was the best thing that ever happened to me. I’m not promoting it, but for me it was a hugely positive thing.
"It pushed me forward and made me want to chase my dreams.
"It gave me so much strength.
"When you have kids, you can’t just collapse in a heap when life gets you down, you’ve got to keep going."
And the 28-year-old star – who shot to fame after competing on ‘The X Factor’ in 2010 – always wanted to be an inspiration and a good role model for her children.
She added to Closer magazine: "It was also really important to me that my kids saw me succeed, and so I made sure I did.
"I want them to be inspired and to do well – that’s why I’ve worked so hard."
Rebecca has been in a relationship for the last 18 months and wants to marry and have children with her mystery man.
She said: "He’s lovely. He makes me feel so special and he’s everything I’ve wanted.
"He’s not fazed by celebrities or anything – he doesn’t like all that.
"I think I’ve found The One. I’d love more kids in the future but I want to get married first.
"I want a big white wedding, a really girly one with the dress and everything. I’d have to rally up my music friends to sing at it.
"He doesn’t know this yet though!"
Rebecca Ferguson: Becoming a mum at 18 was best thing ever
