Nicola Roberts' fans can't wait to watch the star strut her stuff on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special tonight.
The ravishing redhead, 37, who is paired with Giovanni Pernice on the show, has kept a relatively low profile since storming the charts with Girls Aloud.
The singer has enjoyed stellar success in her career - but it hasn't always been easy for the Stamford-born star.
With health scares, stalker woes and her once-cherished home being repossessed, here's the lowdown on the life of Ms Roberts.
Health battle
Nicola has hypoglycemia, which is a condition which causes blood sugar levels to drop, restricting what kinds of food can be consumed.
The singer was diagnosed with the illness after touring with Girls Aloud, after suffering from sickness and weakness, which had affected her performance on stage.
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article28681550.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Strictly-Come-Dancing-2022-Christmas-special.jpg)
Speaking about the condition, she said: "I broke down in tears before one of our shows because I felt so weak.
"I was close to fainting, but I had no idea what was wrong with me.
'I just couldn't stop eating and I was always hungry."
In 2020, Nicola tweeted: "I've got this thing called hypoglycemia and when my sugar is low I can't speak."
When a fan asked her whether it was similar to diabetes, the singer replied: "Yeah, but I don't have to take anything. I just have to control it myself."
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article28683473.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_BBC-Children-In-Need-London.jpg)
Nicola has also been honest about her mental health.
Admitting she wouldn't be where she is today' without having therapy, the star took part in an NHS campaign focusing on mental health and wellbeing earlier this year.
In the poignant video, the star says she's ‘benefited hugely’ from sharing her problems with a therapist, despite initially having worries about being judged for seeking help.
“It's about saying this is what is happening to me, it's not my fault, but my happiness matters and I'm going to put my hand up and say I need some help," Nicola said.
The singer discussed how seeking therapy helped her overcome insecurity she felt about her looks as well as the trauma of being stalked by her ex boyfriend.
Stalker hell
Nicola was stalked for five years by her ex-boyfriend Carl Davies, who was given a suspended 15-month sentence and lifetime restraining order in 2017.
The former soldier threatened to stab and burn the Girls Aloud star after setting up 35 fake social media accounts to send thousands of terrifying Twitter and Instagram messages.
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article28683474.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Press-night-for-Hairspray-Musical-London-Britain.jpg)
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article28683472.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_The-Glamour-Women-of-the-Year-Awards.jpg)
During the trial, a court heard knife and fire emojis were pictured on the most disturbing messages as well as more affectionate tweets where the Afghanistan veteran declared his love for the flame-haired star.
Carl dated Nicola at the height of her fame, but the pair parted company in 2008.
At the time, the singer said: "I should be able to move on from an unhealthy relationship if I want to and that has not been able to happen for me.
"You are too scared to take the dogs out for a walk because when someone plants vicious seeds you just imagine every possible outcome."
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article28683471.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_ga-3.jpg)
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article28447344.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Glamour-Women-Of-The-Year-Awards-2022-Ceremony.jpg)
Last year, the former serviceman was sentenced to two years and eight months in jail for stalking BBC Breakfast star, Louise Minchin.
Carl posted multiple 'intimidating' messages 'intended to maximise fear and distress' to the TV presenter and her teenage daughter Mia's social media accounts over four days between July 14 and 17 2020.
Speaking about needing therapy after her stalker experience, Nicola told Fabulous magazine : "I started in 2018, when I was 33, because of the trauma I’d faced with a stalker. As a young woman, loving yourself is top priority.”
Home repossessed
Nicola's £1.25million mansion was repossessed in 2019 after she failed to find a buyer for more than two years.
The former pop star, who bought the palatial pile in Surrey, was said to be relieved to have left the property, which reminded her of her stalker ex.
![](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article28461300.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/1_Jingle-Bell-Ball-Day-2.jpg)
Nicola confirmed the repossession was by mutual agreement and was able to collect her belongings before the bank swooped in.
The singer moved to the three-bedroom penthouse in Weybridge in 2009 and soon got to work on the renovations, including adding a gym and a walk-in wardrobe.
However, after deciding she needed a fresh start, the star agreed to hand it back to the bank and start afresh.
Nicola told The Sun at the time: “I had been trying to sell the house for years, and was so unhappy there that I decided to take the hit financially in order to move on and find a new property away from the bad memories. I’m really happy in my new home now.”