5ive’s Ritchie Neville says it’s too early to love again and daughter hasn’t met ex Natasha Hamilton’s new man
The proud dad maintained he was 'amicable' with his former fiancee and Atomic Kitten babe
PROUD dad Ritchie Neville insists he's maintained an "amicable" relationship with ex fiancee Natasha Hamilton as their daughter approaches her second birthday - but little Ella WON'T be meeting the Atomic Kitten babe's new man just yet.
The 5ive singer insisted the "absolutely amazing" experience of being a parent had seen him through the pair's shock split earlier this year.
They had been due to get hitched the following month, yet boyband star Ritchie exclusively admitted to The Sun Online while he hadn't found another someone special, it would be "TERRIBLY WRONG" to bring another man into the youngster's life.
He told us: "That would be way too early. It would be terribly wrong to introduce them to new partners and stuff that quick.
"At the end of the day, the plan was we (Ritchie and Natasha) were getting married in June.
"It just wouldn't be right - not that I have a new partner.
"The main thing is it's not a time thing, it's how serious you are about the relationship, then you've got to give it some time.
"Kids can be sensitive to that.
"You've got to be sure it's mainly compatible it's going to go the distance. You've got to go through experiences together as a partner, I think."
Natasha and Ritchie got together after sparks flew when they both appeared on reality TV show The Big Reunion.
At the beginning of the year the couple decided to call it quits but continued living together for the sake of their daughter.
After recently moving out of their shared home, Whole Again singer Natasha has found love with Charles Grey.
She has littered her Instagram page with loved-up shots of the pair at a friend's wedding and puckering up in a sweet selfie.
Yet Ritchie - who has a jam-packed schedule with bandmates Sean Conlon and Scott Robinson - said they remained pally.
Their band 5ive will soon be headlining the in aid of the teenager, who died from Vasculitis.
He said: "We do 50-50 parenting as far as time share goes.
"Natasha came round to pick Ella up earlier and she came in.
"You've got to keep it amicable and nice, otherwise it's not nice for the kids."
Gushing over being a dad, he added: "When people say it's a life-changing thing to do I think it's actually an understatement.
"Ella's two this month - it gets deeper and deeper just how life changing it is.
"It's a complete mental shift. You've got somebody else you are not just responsible for to feed and clothe, just to bring up, to shape and nurture and love.
"You're daddy - that's a big commitment and a big thing to take on."
The trio insisted all being dads had somewhat tempered their bad boy ways.
Back in their heyday, when they notched up three Number One UK singles as a five-piece, they were renowned for their party-loving ways.
They have retained their loyal fans as well as securing a fresh wave of followers, all of whom head to their gigs across the UK and Europe.
Although Sean admitted the lads still "liked a few drinks," he added: "I think we've calmed down a little bit, we are definitely not the disorganised rabble we were.
"We are unorganised, dysfunctional gentlemen now.";
Sean added there was certainly still a future for the We Will Rock You group and admitted: "As long as people are still enjoying it, we want to keep gigging.
"If they stop enjoying it, we will stop doing it at the moment there seems to be a real appetite for what we are doing."
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Their experiences as parents also played a major part in their decision to headline the Lauren Currie Twilight Foundation’s Black & Red Vasculitis Charity Ball on September 16, in Glasgow.
Talking of the event, which raises money in memory of Lauren, who sadly died aged 15, Ritchie added: "I had a look the story and I'm not ashamed to admit I definitely had a well up.
"We are all fathers to daughters, Lauren was their daughter, she was 15 which is too young for anyone to go.
"You can put yourself in their position at that point."
Scott added: "It's amazing the strength the family has shown to turn such a sad situation into pretty much saving other people's lives."
As well as taking to the stage Scott also has his.
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