Kiki Dee has admitted her successful singing career might have cost her a personal life, because she devoted so much time to it.
The 1970s star, who had a No 1 hit with Sir Elton John with Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, was the first British artist to be signed by Tamla Motown.
Now 77, she has never married or had children and said she often wondered why family life had never happened for her. She said: “My identity was tied up with singing. I knew it was my winning formula and I knew that I wanted to do it.
“I loved singing – I knew I had some kind of natural ability, so that’s what I did.
“In some ways it might have cost me a personal life, because it took so much out of me. I often think, ‘I wonder why I never married and had children, how strange’.
“But I’m very happy about that. I’m not sitting there thinking, ‘Oh Lord, I’ve missed out’.”
Speaking to Kaye Adams on her How To Be 60 podcast, Kiki added: “I’ve never had that thing for a white wedding, you know how for lots of girls and women that’s their big dream.
“I absolutely love babies and I love young kids, but I’ve never had that urge to have them – so perhaps it just wasn’t meant for me to do that.”
Kiki was a regular on Top of the Pops in the 1970s, with a string of hits including Amoureuse, I’ve Got The Music in Me and Loving and Free.
She revealed that at the height of her fame she worried about her single status, but said that today she has no regrets.
“There were times in my 30s when I thought, ‘oh dear, what shall I do, I don’t think I’m going to meet someone that I want to marry or that’s going to want to marry me’. It’s ended up that I’ve stayed single and I’ve had a hell of a good time.
“I’m well and happy actually. It’s ok to be a little bit different. Whatever floats your boat through life.
“We all aspire to be happy and do something that makes us fulfilled. I grew to realise that actually I’m a happy soul, I don’t get lonely. I’ve got so many great friends and I love my own company.”
Kiki, who began her career as a backing singer for Dusty Springfield, recorded two albums produced by Sir Elton and the two became firm friends. In 1985 she performed alongside him at Live Aid and Elton turned up to surprise her at her 60th birthday dinner.
Kiki recalled: “It was absolutely bonkers. My first thought was, ‘I hope Elton’s going to be relaxed and everybody’s not going to be in awe of him’.”
Kiki sang backing vocals on Elton’s hit Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and also had a No 2 hit with him when the duo recorded a cover version of Cole Porter’s True Love.
For the past 30 years she has performed with guitarist Carmelo Luggeri. “I’ve always tried to move on, it’s part of who I am,” she said. “When I was 47, that was when I realised, I didn’t want to be a celebrity, I wanted to be a musician. I didn’t want to have to be something I wasn’t anymore. I just got to that point where I wanted to move forward.
“I write lyrics that are relevant to me now. I don’t write songs about ‘baby, baby, I love you baby.’ I don’t do that kind of pop stuff now.”