Murder On The Dancefloor singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor is infuriated by how the kids she shares with husband Richard Jones, a bassist for The Feeling, are being treated by some of their peers. Sonny, 19, Kit, 14, Jesse, seven, and Mickey, four, have all inherited their father's ginger hair - and classmates haven't missed an opportunity to rib them for being "different".

Heartbroken Sophie, who gave birth to the kids between the ages of 27 and 42, told all about their ordeal on the Salon Confidential podcast. She explained: "[Bullying has] definitely been something they've experienced, which is really harsh. You get to secondary school and anything that marks you out becomes the thing you will be teased about."

She lamented: "It's extraordinary how you have this desire at that age group just to blend in, to be part of the pack. It's a really strong instinct.

"But rather than letting it make you feel down, hopefully by having conversations, you can actually keep an eye on it and keep it on the right side of things."

Sophie is adamant that her quartet of kids, who all boast differing shades of flame red, look "gorgeous" - and she joked that the distinctive hue makes it "so easy" for her to spot them in the playground.

She also believes that things will get easier as they grow up and focus on growing as individuals.

"When you get a bit older, you're like: 'Actually, all those things about me that set me apart are the things I'll now give space to and invest in and enjoy myself,'" she stated.

Sophie is no stranger to bullying herself, having grown up with a famous mum - Blue Peter star Janet Ellis - and admitted she was the "complete opposite" of popular.

The other kids had jeered at her for having a parent who was always on TV, and even formed a cruel "Against Sophie" club to ostracise her.

Undeterred by the insults, Sophie confessed she would often "show off" about it as she found her mum's career "brilliantly glamorous".