Rachel Stevens - Steven's Love Split Prompted By Fiance Pal's Tragic Death

Former S CLUB beauty RACHEL STEVENS left her fiance JEREMY EDWARDS after his behaviour started to get out of control following the horrific death of a close pal.

The TV actor was devastated when actress LAURA SADLER, his co-star on British medical drama HOLBY CITY, plunged to her death from a balcony in London on 23 June (03) and admits he started drinking heavily to cope with the pain.

He says, "It was a tough time for me. After Laura's death I got really messed up. I was drinking a hell of a lot and got seriously depressed. It really shook me up.

"Losing such a close friend pushed me off the rails and sadly Rachel got caught up in my mess. It was at this point that she confronted me about my problems and we agreed to have a break.

"We didn't talk for a whole month after the break-up. I realised what my behaviour was making me lose. Rachel means the world to me and I couldn't believe what was happening to our relationship.

"I needed a serious reality check and that's what I got."

The twosome are now back together but have decided against renewing their engagement until they are certain their romance has a future.