**Sophie Ellis-Bextor Shares Insights on Lasting Marriage and Modern Parenting**
Sophie Ellis-Bextor, renowned for her chart-topping track “Murder on the Dancefloor,” has opened up about the principles that help to keep her marriage strong. Married to musician Richard Jones since 2005, Ellis-Bextor emphasises the importance of prioritising her partner, even above their five sons. Speaking candidly in a recent Good Housekeeping UK interview, she reflected on the wisdom imparted by her mother, Janet Ellis, and how it has shaped family life.
The singer and her husband, bassist Richard Jones of The Feeling, are parents to Sonny, 21, Kit, 16, Ray, 13, Jesse, nine, and Mickey, six. With a bustling household, the foundation of their enduring relationship comes from advice from Sophie’s mother, former *Blue Peter* presenter Janet Ellis. “When we got married, we’d already had our first baby,” Sophie recalls, “and my mum said: ‘Make sure you always choose each other over anything else, even the kids.’”
This guidance, she suggests, has been instrumental in ensuring the couple remain close and cohesive through the demands of family life. “She was right,” Sophie continues. “Even though the kids might roll their eyes if they see us hugging or whatever, they’re happy that we’re happy. And we have fun as a family, too. Last year, they came with us for a lot of the tour.”
Janet Ellis continues to play a supportive role in her daughter’s life, living just a short walk away from the family home. Sophie notes the strength of their familial bond: “We’re very close. She’s always good at encouraging me and giving me the toolkit I need to get out and do what I do. Raising a family alongside that is a constant thing.”
This closeness also extends to Sophie’s eldest, Sonny, who currently lives with his grandmother. “He moved in when he was doing a foundation course at uni a year and a half ago,” Sophie explains. “She lives 10 minutes away and was on her own, so they’ve got each other. It’s given him his own space, but also kept him close – he comes over all the time.”
Ellis-Bextor has consistently aimed to nurture open and honest dialogue with her children, particularly around the topics of internet safety and masculinity. She stresses the importance of maintaining trust. “I’ve always had a lot of faith in my boys. We’ve openly chatted about toxic masculinity for a long time. My eldest is very articulate about these things, so none of it was new to my house.”
Dispelling stereotypes associated with boys, the singer is clear in her approach: “Sometimes people have an idea of what boys are like, as if they’re a different species. As far as I’m concerned, I’m raising five people who happen to be boys.” She watches mobile phone use as part of her parental responsibilities, but aims to avoid an overly restrictive environment. “If you start demonising things, you shut down communication. Then you’re like those parents in the 1950s who made kids burn their rock ‘n’ roll albums.”
Ellis-Bextor’s perspective underscores a contemporary approach to both marriage and parenting, rooted in mutual respect and understanding. Her candid reflections offer a window into how she balances a high-profile career with the everyday realities of family life, while maintaining an open and nurturing home environment.
The full interview with Sophie Ellis-Bextor appears in the August edition of Good Housekeeping UK, where she further expands on her philosophies regarding marriage, motherhood, and maintaining happiness both on and off the stage. For readers eager to explore the in-depth conversation, the feature is available now via the Good Housekeeping UK website.