In a recent instalment of the Therapy Works podcast, bestselling author and psychotherapist Julia Samuel spoke to the iconic “Shout” singer about her son, Jordan
Matt Davies Trendswatch Reporter
20:30, 31 Dec 2025
Lulu has broken down in tears on a podcast episode as she made a “painful” admission(Image: WireImage)
Lulu broke down in tears whilst making a “painful” confession regarding her relationship with her son. During a recent episode of the Therapy Works podcast, bestselling author and psychotherapist Julia Samuel spoke with the legendary “Shout” singer about her son, Jordan, whom she had with her ex-husband, hairstylist John Frieda.
Her candid remarks followed an earlier admission on her Turning Point podcast this year, where she acknowledged she “couldn’t say she was a great parent” whilst also revealing she did her “best”.
Lulu, who previously broke down in tears as she opened up about her battle with alcoholism, said: “He has forgiven me for all of the things…he’s so magnanimous but he’s also very intelligent, and kindness and intelligence, I think come together so he’s kind.”
The subject once again resurfaced during her conversation with Julia, who explored the various sides of Lulu’s personality.
She described the on-stage Lulu (real name Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie) as “fun and bubbly”, whilst suggesting there was also a Marie who “mourned the marriage” with John.
Julia Samuel chatted to the iconic “Shout” singer about her son, Jordan(Image: Getty Images)
Julia went on to claim there was a version of the “Boom Bang-a-Bang” singer who “mourned a miscarriage” and who “mourned not being the mother” she perhaps aspired to be, as the candid discussion eventually turned to her relationship with Jordan.
Speaking about her son, Lulu said: “He will not listen to this, of course. It would be too painful, I should imagine, and anyway, he knows all this. He said, ‘I won’t be reading that book’. He said, ‘I know it all anyway.”
Lulu continued: “We are closer and closer and closer because I’ve looked at my pain, and I want to big myself up and say he is impressed at the work I do, but he has told me, you know, he’s..
“Proud of you?” Julia interjected, to which Lulu replied, “of the work that I’ve done?”.
Lulu said Jordan understands that she is making “amends”(Image: WireImage)
An emotional Lulu went on: “Uh-huh, that’s a good word; I can’t even find the words, but that’s what makes me want to cry because he’s very kind and forgiving of what I didn’t give him.”
She conceded there were aspects she could have handled differently, but maintained Jordan had “accepted it and moved on” and that they were now “kind of on (the) same page”.
In a later confession about her son, Lulu revealed Jordan recognises she is making “amends”, and it’s “great” that she can be there for his children.
You can next catch Lulu on Jools’ Annual Hootenanny on BBC Two on Wednesday, December 31, from 11.30pm to 1.40am.
