Faye Tozer: Steps, Strictly and 2025 Split News

For anyone who grew up in the UK in the late 90s, Faye Tozer’s voice is instantly familiar — she was one-fifth of the pop powerhouse Steps that defined an era. But beyond the choreographed routines and hit singles, her life has taken a more personal turn in 2025. Reports in May 2025 confirmed she had separated from husband Michael Smith after 16 years of marriage, a development that sits alongside her celebrated career as a singer and Strictly Come Dancing finalist. This article traces her journey from Northampton to the West End and examines where she stands now.

Born: 14 November 1975 · Age: 49 (as of 2025) · Occupation: Singer, actress · Known for: Steps, Strictly Come Dancing finalist · Spouse: Michael Smith (m. 2008; separated 2025) · Children: 1 son

Seven key biographical facts about Faye Tozer, from her early life to her marital status.

Where does Faye Tozer live now?

Current residence after marital split

• Reports from May 2025 indicated Tozer moved out of the family home in South Tyneside following the split (Mirror (UK news outlet)).
• Her current address has not been publicly confirmed (Entertainment Daily (celebrity news)).

Hometown and early life in Dunstable

• Born in Northampton but raised in Dunstable, Bedfordshire (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
• She began performing at age six and attended theatre school (BBC (UK public broadcaster)).

Did Faye Tozer win Strictly?

Strictly Come Dancing 2018 performance

• Tozer competed in series 16 (2018) partnered with Giovanni Pernice (BBC Strictly YouTube (official channel)).
• She earned a perfect 40 for her showdance but finished as runner-up (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).

Dance partner and final result

• The winner was Stacey Dooley with Kevin Clifton (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
• After the final, Tozer told the BBC she was “overwhelmed” by the support (BBC (UK public broadcaster)).

The pattern: Tozer’s Strictly journey underscored her versatility and raised her profile beyond music, but the runner-up finish kept her from the full spotlight of victory.

What happened to Faye from Steps?

Steps hiatus and reunion

• Steps disbanded in 2001 after selling over 22 million records (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
• The group reunited in 2011 for a tour and have since released new albums (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
• In 2025, Steps opened the Strictly Blackpool special, which Yahoo News called a “surprise” return for Tozer (Yahoo News (digital news aggregator)).

Faye’s solo career in theatre and television

• West End credits include The Wedding Singer and Calendar Girls (BBC (UK public broadcaster)).
• She appeared on The Masked Singer in 2020 as Swan (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).

What this means: Tozer has built a durable career by alternating between group nostalgia and stage work, a balance few former pop stars manage.

Has Faye Tozer left her husband?

Marriage to Michael Smith

• Tozer married property developer Michael Smith on 5 December 2009 at Beamish Hall (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
• She has a 16-year-old son (born 2009) from this marriage (The Sun (UK tabloid)).

Separation announcement and media reports

• On 17 May 2025, multiple outlets reported the couple had split (The Sun (UK tabloid)).
• The Mirror said Tozer “reportedly moved out” of the family home (Mirror (UK news outlet)).
• Smith told MailOnline, “We’re going through some things and trying to work stuff out” (Oasis FM (local radio)).

The trade-off: The news cycle linked the split to her Strictly appearance in what some called a delayed “curse,” but neither Tozer nor Smith has confirmed a divorce.

What band was Faye Tozer in?

Formation of Steps in 1997

• Steps was formed in 1997 from open auditions (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
• The five members: Claire Richards, Lee Latchford-Evans, Lisa Scott-Lee, Ian “H” Watkins, and Faye Tozer (BBC (UK public broadcaster)).

Steps’ biggest hits and lineup

• Their biggest UK singles include “Tragedy,” “One for Sorrow,” and “5,6,7,8” (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
• Steps have sold over 22 million records and 15 million albums globally (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
• The group disbanded in 2001 but reunited in 2011 and continue to tour (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).

Why this matters: Steps’ enduring popularity gives Tozer a steady platform, but her solo work shows she isn’t limited to nostalgia.

Timeline

• 14 November 1975 – Born in Northampton, England
• 1997 – Steps formed; debut single “5,6,7,8”
• 2001 – Steps disband after greatest hits album
• 2008 – Marries Michael Smith
• 2009 – Gives birth to son Benjamin
• 2011 – Steps reunite for “The Ultimate Steps” tour
• 2018 – Competes on Strictly Come Dancing, finishes runner-up
• 2025 – Reports of separation from husband and move from family home

“I’m so proud of what we achieved – I didn’t need a glitterball to feel like a winner.”

Faye Tozer, speaking to the BBC after the 2018 Strictly final (BBC (UK public broadcaster))

“Steps is like a family that never broke – we just took a holiday.”

Steps official statement on their 2011 reunion (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))

“They’re going through some things and trying to work stuff out. That’s all I’ll say.”

Michael Smith, speaking to MailOnline via a reporter’s paraphrase (Oasis FM (local radio))

Faye Tozer’s career resilience is evident in her ability to pivot from chart-topping pop to stage and screen, but the personal chapter remains unwritten. For a public figure who has guarded her privacy carefully, the 2025 split tests that boundary. For fans, the consequence is clear: support her art, respect her silence, or brace for a tell-all that neither side has committed to.

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