'Children were never the plan' Beverley Knight reveals battle with uterine tumours

Singer Beverley Knight has talked openly about her battle with uterine fibroids, a condition that caused her stomach to swell so much she thought she was pregnant.

The 44-year-old spent much of this year recovering from the illness, which forced her to cancel her June tour dates.

Speaking exclusively to HELLO! Magazine Beverley - who has been married to James O'Keefe for five years - admitted that having children had never been 'part of her plan'.

The singer had muscular tumours, which led her to have a hysterectomy earlier this year, and has since endured a slow recovery after undergoing painful operations due to the uterine fibroids.

According to experts, this condition is 'more prevalent and more aggressive in women of Afro-Caribbean decent'.

Before her diagnosis, Beverley admitted she thought she was pregnant as the swelling had been so dramatic.

She recalled: 'I noticed that my tummy was very swollen. At first I assumed I was pregnant. I thought "this cannot be happening".'

Beverley went on to divulge that the diagnosis could have led to 'a stroke or worse', if it hadn't been picked up by doctors.

'When I was told that my condition was creating a high risk of a stroke or worse, I was stunned,' she admitted.

'I never get ill and this was a real wake-up call. It's been a slow recovery but I should be healed completely soon.'

Following her hysterectomy, the singer is now keen to focus on being the best relative to her nieces and nephews, as she can no longer conceive naturally.

'I'm a proud aunty and godmum, but having children of my own has never been part of the plan,' she added.

Beverly talked about her operations in August this year, with This Morning hosts Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford.

The star admitted she had no idea why it happened to her, but was quick to reassure fans: 'I had a hysterectomy. Now I'm fine and I'm back!'