Sophie Ellis-Bextor, beloved for her early 2000s hit Murder on the Dancefloor, recently shared a heartbreaking reality her family is facing. The singer, 46, is a proud mum to five boys—Sonny, 20, Kit, 15, Ray, 12, Jesse, 8, and Mickey, 5—whom she shares with husband Richard Jones.
But during a candid conversation on Andreas Wild’s Salon Confidential podcast, Sophie revealed that some of her younger sons are being bullied at school, simply because of their striking red hair.
“It’s definitely something they’ve experienced, which is really harsh,” she said. “You get to secondary school and anything that makes you stand out becomes something you’re teased about. It’s incredible how strong the urge is at that age to just blend in and be part of the crowd.”
Sophie, however, hopes to help her children embrace their uniqueness through open conversations. “Rather than letting it bring you down, talking about it can help keep it in check,” she added. “As you grow up, you start to realise that the very things that set you apart are what make you special. You learn to celebrate those differences.”
The singer couldn’t help but gush over her sons’ distinctive hair, noting, “They’ve all got slightly different shades of red, and it’s so beautiful—I can always spot them in a playground!”
A Peek Into Sophie’s Family Life
Sophie and her family live in a spacious West London home, but her eldest son, Sonny, has since moved in with his grandmother, former Blue Peter presenter Janet Ellis. Speaking to The Times, Sonny explained the shift in his living arrangements.
“I needed more space,” he said. “Three of my brothers shared one room. The only time the house was ever quiet was when everyone was asleep.”
Having grown up visiting his grandmother regularly, Sonny said the move felt natural. “It’s always felt like a second home. Honestly, it hasn’t been much of a change. My parents and brothers still visit all the time.”
He added: “I think if I left, I’d miss the home comforts. But more than that, I’d miss my grandmother. We’ve always been close, but now we’re closer than ever.”
Despite the challenges, it’s clear Sophie’s family remains tight-knit, grounded, and full of love.
