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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zoe Delaney

Emeli Sandé posts first snap with girlfriend after taking 'time to accept' herself

Emeli Sandé has shared an adorable snap of herself and her new partner, after revealing she had found love with a woman earlier this week.

The Next To Me singer, 35, thanked fans for their "acceptance and kind wishes", as she shared the first public picture of her "soul mate Yoana".

Emeli explained on Saturday how finding love with her girlfriend had given her strength, and she now feels "happier than ever".

The Scottish star - who was previously married to marine biologist Adam Gouraguine - shared the news of her relationship status in a new interview, ahead of her new album release for Let's Say For Instance in May.

Writing to her 404,000 Instagram followers on Saturday, the BRIT Award winner claimed it felt like a "huge weight" had been lifted, after sharing some of her personal life with the public.

Emeli Sande revealed the identity of her girlfriend via a sweet Instagram post on Saturday (Emile Sande / Instagram)

Captioning a cute picture of herself beaming alongside Yoana, Emeli wrote: " It’s taken me many years to find the strength to be myself. I’ve struggled for a long time to accept myself as I am.

"I’m so lucky to have found my soul mate Yoana, she’s such an extraordinary woman! Falling in love with her gave me the strength I needed! Feels so good to be in love and I feel happier than ever."

The talented vocalist added: "I’m deeply touched by all your messages of love and support. Thank you so much for your acceptance and kind wishes. Feels like a huge weight has been lifted, here’s to a new beginning in truth and happiness!"

Former Radio One DJ Annie Mac was one of the first to comment on the emotional post, telling the star: "Oh Emeli! What a beautiful revelation - wishing you and Yoana all the happiness together xx."

Newly-engaged Nick Grimshaw added "Beautiful. Congratulations", while Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland gushed: "I AM BEYOND HAPPY FOR YOU!! Congratulations!!!!!!"

On Thursday, it was announced that Emeli met and fell in love with classical pianist Yoana when she was learning about classical music.

Emeli and ex-husband Adam pictured together in 2013 (Splash)
The award-winning singer has previously opened up about how hard she found their split (AFP/Getty Images)

As her previous public relationships have been with men, the singer-songwriter was asked if she now feels comfortable with the label bisexual.

"I’m not sure what I identify as but I guess so. I just feel like I should fall in love with whoever I fall in love with," she explained to The Metro.

Emeli was previously married to her childhood sweetheart Adam but announced they had parted ways in 2014 - just two years after they tied the knot in September 2012.

The star is preparing to release new music next month (Emile Sande / Instagram)

The University of Glasgow graduate has previously opened up about hard the split was - admitting to feeling like she had lost her best friend.

"I think I spent the couple of months after not in denial, but not really dealing with what had happened," Emeli recalled when discussing her divorce with The Times.

"Adam and I had been together since I was 17. He was my only boyfriend. That's the only person I've been with for the past 10 years.

She added: "So [losing] our relationship more than the marriage was the big part for me to deal with.

"Having a friend who'd been my best friend for so long ... losing that support and structure in my life was the biggest thing."

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