KIMBERLEY Walsh is looking proud, but a little apprehensive as she watches her son Bobby Jay, 10 months, test his standing skills.

"He got bored with crawling, now he loves standing up all the time and wobbling until he suddenly topples over or sits down with a bump. It's so sweet," coos the Bradford-born former Girls Aloud star, Strictly Come Dancing competitor and musical theatre actress.

Clearly besotted with motherhood, she hopes to have more children with her fiance and partner of 12-years, Justin Scott, a property developer.

"I absolutely love being a mum. Every day I fall more in love with him," says Kimberley, 33. "I love looking after somebody else. It's about being selfless, putting Bobby first and doing what's best for him. I was totally ready for that. There's no two ways about it, he's the priority and I think if you're not prepared to do that for a child, you're not ready to be a mum."

Although she looks radiant and slim, she insists she didn't get straight back into her skinny jeans post pregnancy.

"I honestly didn't think about my figure until Bobby was six months old because that really wasn't my concern - I was focused on my son," she says. "I've gradually cut down on carbs and done exercises when he has his naps. I'm not far off being 'back to normal', but I'm a mummy so I still have a bit of a tummy and I don't think there's anything wrong with that."

Kimberley found fame aged 21 on ITV show, Popstars: The Rivals in 2002 when she became one fifth of Girls Aloud. The band had 20 consecutive top 10 singles, six platinum albums and five BRIT award nominations in 11 years, finally splitting to pursue solo careers in 2013.

In 2011 she made her West End debut as Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical, was a joint runner up in Strictly in 2012 and next month she returns to the stage, starring in Sweet Charity with Denise Van Outen. After that she begins rehearsing for West End musical, Elf, opening in October.

She says having a baby is something she's dreamed about since she was a teenager, but she put motherhood plans on hold pursuing her career. "I've been quite broody since I was about 15, but I wanted to have proper security and a good lifestyle before I brought a child into the world," she says.

"I'm not quite ready yet, but in the not too distant future we'd like Bobby to have a couple of brothers or sisters."

The baby's birth coincided with Justin's proposal. "The doctors and nurses had left us alone and we were in that euphoric stage of staring at this new little baby. I'd just handed Bobby to Justin and he had him in one arm then slipped his other hand in his pocket and suddenly went down on one knee and pulled out this gorgeous diamond ring," she beams. "We were both in floods of tears because we were so happy."

Their relationship weathered all Kimberley's years in the spotlight and the relentless Girls Aloud touring and performing schedule. "I always felt with Justin I had that solid support and the best friend you need amidst all that pressure," she says. "We've had ups and downs but we both thought it was a relationship worth working on and neither of us wanted to be anywhere else."

The wedding, she says, will be "sometime next year" and former bandmates, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Nicola Roberts will be bridesmaids.

"Cheryl and Nicola have been coming over a lot since Bobby's birth," says Kimberley. "Cheryl lives nearby. I don't think it's made her feel broody though. If anything, I think she realises it's nice to have babies for a bit then hand them back and go back to your civilised existence!"

Kimberley already had experience of parenting as a step-mum to Justin's 16-year-old daughter, Chloe, from a previous relationship.

"I've known her since she was five and watched her grow up, she's a lovely girl," she says. "It was nice to have a preview of what Justin was like as a dad, he's great with his daughter."

In December Kimberley returns to hosting a weekly shopping slot on This Morning.

"I'm so lucky that what I've been offered is for quite short periods. I'll probably be tired with shows till late in the evenings and looking after Bobby in the day, especially during Elf, but that's only a 10-week run so I'll be fine," she says. "I'm determined not to miss things like his first steps and words, I'll just have to keep fit so my energy levels are high. My years in the band taught me how to cope with long hours."

She adds: "What was important was always having family and good friends around me throughout those years, which helped me stay grounded. My advice to anyone going into this business is to surround yourself with people who share your values, so you stay the person you are and don't get caught up in all the fickle, shallow aspects of it."

* Kimberley Walsh has launched the new Comfort Intense range. Visit comfortintense.com