Beverley Knight gushes over how ‘supportive’ husband James helped her after ‘tough’ hysterectomy as she gives rare insight into their marriage

Beverley Knight has raved about how her ‘supportive’ husband James O’Keefe helped her after a ‘tough’ hysterectomy in 2017.

The 50-year-old singer was diagnosed with uterine fibroids, a common benign tumor that is “more common and aggressive in women of Afro-Caribbean descent,” and subsequently had to undergo the surgery.

She has now opened up in a candid new interview – giving a rare glimpse into their relationship – about how he did a lot of research for her on how to make a quick recovery and how they “figured the whole thing out together.”

Her husband James is a former lighting technician and the pair met in 2007 when she shot the TV advert for her album Music City Soul.

Five years later they married in 2012 in the orangery of Goodwood House in West Sussex.

Together: Her husband James is a former lighting technician and the pair met in 2007 when she shot the TV advert for her album Music City Soul (seen in 2019)

She said The times on his support during her ill health: ‘When I had my hysterectomy (after being diagnosed with uterine fibroids in 2007), it was tough.

‘It took six weeks to recover and I couldn’t smile or hold a note, but James did all the research to help me get moving.

‘Even though we didn’t really want children, I found taking away the option difficult to understand. But we came up with it all together.”

She added that he was always “so supportive” of her career and that their different personalities complement each other.

In 2017, after the hysterectomy, she said during an appearance on This Morning: ‘I had uterine fibroids growing inside me that I didn’t know about. I had to have them removed, as well as the whole cabal.

‘I had a hysterectomy. Now I’m fine and I’m back!’

Presenters Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford appeared concerned and asked her: “It’s a big thing… do they know why it happened?”

Beverley remained positive and optimistic, replying: ‘I have no idea why, I’m just glad I got through it.’

Tough: The singer, 50, was diagnosed with uterine fibroids, a common benign tumor that is ‘more common and aggressive in women of Afro-Caribbean descent’, and subsequently had to undergo the surgery (seen on James in 2018)

Statement: In May of that year, it was reported that Beverley had been forced to postpone her current tour while she underwent surgery

In May of that year, it was reported that Beverley had been forced to postpone her current tour while she underwent surgery.

Her spokesperson shared a statement on social media at the time, saying she was “disappointed” she would not be able to appear on stage at the end of June.

The statement read: ‘Doctors have advised that the operation should take place as soon as possible to avoid escalation of complications.

‘Beverley will need complete rest for several weeks after the operation to recover, after which she should be fully fit again.

Love: She has now opened up in a candid new interview about how he did a lot of research for her on how to recover quickly and lovingly revealed how they ‘figured the whole thing out together’

Happiness: She added that he was always “so supportive” of her career and how their different personalities complement each other

“Beverley is very disappointed that he will not be able to tour in June as planned, but is looking forward to seeing everyone in October.”

Fibroids are common: about 2 in 3 women develop at least 1 fibroid at some point in their lives. They occur most often in women between the ages of 30 and 50.

Fibroids are believed to be more common in women of African-Caribbean descent.

They are also thought to be more common in women who are overweight or obese, because excess weight increases estrogen levels in the body.