Michelle Heaton feels "lucky to be alive" after achieving sobriety.

The 44-year-old pop star struggled with alcohol addiction for a number of years before seeking professional help and now that she has been sober for just over two years, has admitted that things could have been very different but believes she has a guardian angel who watches over her.

Michelle - who has Faith, 11, and AJ, nine with husband Hugh Hanley - told new! magazine: "On paper, I really should have died years ago. But there's an angel out there keeping an eye on me and I'm so grateful. Every day, I know I'm lucky to be alive and here for Faith and AJ."

Meanwhile, the Liberty X singer underwent a double mastectomy and hysterectomy in 2012 after learning that she had a high chance of developing breast cancer but revealed that following the intense operations, she very quickly went into menopause and "struggled" to get out of bed.

She said: "I was 35 when I had the total hysterectomy and I went into immediate menopause," says Michelle. "I really struggled even getting out of bed - the lethargy from the menopause was horrendous. It was just crippling. Nothing could have prepared me."

The 'Just a Little' hitmaker went on to explain that the menopause was not discussed as heavily in those days as it is now and hailed her husband - who she tied the knot with in 2010 - as her "absolute hero - who has stuck with her through everything.

She added: "People were just not talking about the menopause like they are now. But Hugh is my absolute hero and has been there for me over the last 15 years through thick and thin