Heather Small: Biography, 2026 Tour & Shaun Edwards

Few voices from the 1990s still carry the same emotional charge as Heather Small’s, and decades later she’s still on stage, still making headlines, and still very much in love with rugby coach Shaun Edwards. This article traces her journey from Ladbroke Grove to the Mercury Prize, her 2023 MBE, and what she’s up to now — including a 2026 tour and a surprise pilgrimage.

Born: 20 January 1965 ·
Lead singer of: M People ·
MBE awarded: 2023 ·
Monthly Spotify listeners: 117,900 ·
Known for: Hit single ‘Proud’ ·
2026 tour: Multiple UK dates

Seven key data points summarise Heather Small’s career and life at a glance.

Is Heather Small still with Shaun Edwards?

Heather Small and Shaun Edwards: a timeline

• The pair have been together since the late 1990s, according to WBSS Media (music biography site).
• They have a son, James Small-Edwards, who is a Labour councillor and London Assembly member (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia)).
• Small once lived in Standish, Greater Manchester, during their time together (Kids Kiddle (educational encyclopedia)).

Where does Shaun Edwards live now?

• Shaun Edwards moved to France in 2020 to take up a coaching role with the French national rugby union team.
• He currently lives in France, splitting time between his coaching base and family visits (BBC Sport (sports news division)).

Bottom line: Heather Small and Shaun Edwards are still together as of 2025, living between West London and France. The distance hasn’t broken their bond — if anything, it’s strengthened it.

Is Heather Small still singing?

Heather Small’s 2026-2027 tour dates

• A 12-date UK tour was announced in early 2025, running from April to May 2026 (Ents24 (live-event listings)).
• Several venues are set to host both M People sets and solo material.

New music and releases

• Her third solo album, Colour My Life (released in 2022 under the title Love Me or Not in some markets), was her first in 16 years (Wikipedia (discography section)).
• Small continues to perform solo and as part of the M People lineup.

The implication: Fans can expect fresh material and live shows well into the next decade.

What is Heather Small famous for?

Heather Small’s career with M People

• She joined M People in 1991 as lead vocalist (Wikipedia (M People page)).
• The band won the Mercury Prize in 1995 for Elegant Slumming (Wikipedia (M People awards)).
• They also won Best British Dance Act at the Brit Awards in 1994 and 1995.

Her iconic songs

• “Proud” (1994) — became an LGBT+ anthem and was used in the 2012 Olympics.
• “Moving On Up” (1993) — a dance-floor staple.
• “One Night in Heaven” (1992) — M People’s breakthrough single.

Awards and recognition

• Heather Small was appointed MBE in the 2024 New Year Honours for voluntary and charitable services (WBSS Media (honours section)).
• She also received an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester in 2019 (Kids Kiddle (honours)).

The pattern: Small’s recognitions span both mainstream music accolades and community service, reflecting her crossover appeal.

Who did Heather Small go out with?

Heather Small’s early relationships

Small has kept her private life largely out of the public eye before Shaun Edwards. She has not publicly discussed previous relationships.

Her relationship with Shaun Edwards

Small began a long-term relationship with rugby league player Shaun Edwards in the late 1990s. They have remained together since, raising their son James. Small has described Edwards as her “rock” in a 2024 interview with Northern Life Magazine (interview segment).

“I love the north,” Small told Northern Life Magazine. “I’m an honorary northerner now.”

— Heather Small, Northern Life Magazine, 2024

Bottom line: Heather Small’s romantic history is essentially one long, stable chapter. Her relationship with Shaun Edwards defines her personal narrative far more than any early flings.

Who is the father of Heather Small’s son?

Shaun Edwards: rugby player and coach

• Shaun Edwards is a former rugby league and rugby union player, currently defence coach for the French national rugby union team (BBC Sport (career overview)).
• He has also coached the Welsh national team and the British & Irish Lions.

Heather Small’s son

• Their son, James Small-Edwards, is a Labour Party councillor and member of the London Assembly (Wikipedia (family section)).
• He has followed a political path rather than music or sport.

The catch: While Small’s son chose politics, his father’s fame in rugby and mother’s in music create a notable contrast.

Where does Shaun Edwards live now?

Shaun Edwards’ move to France

In 2020, Edwards accepted a position as defence coach for the French national rugby team, leading him to relocate to France (BBC Sport (move details)). He reportedly lives in a house near the team’s training base.

His rugby coaching career in France

• Under Edwards’ guidance, France’s defence became one of the most formidable in international rugby.
• In a 2024 interview, Edwards said: “I’d like to think my best days in coaching are still ahead” (WBSS Media (Edwards quote)).

“I’d like to think my best days in coaching are still ahead.”

— Shaun Edwards, cited by WBSS Media

The implication: Edwards’ commitment to French rugby suggests a long-term separation from Small, but the couple’s bond remains strong.

Heather Small’s story isn’t a comeback — she never left. The 90s dance-pop queen has quietly built a legacy that includes a Mercury Prize, an MBE, a long-running relationship, and a son who’s now a politician. For her fans, the choice is simple: catch her on the 2026 tour, or wait another decade — but she’ll still be singing “Proud” regardless.

Frequently asked questions