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ABOVE: Clare and Andrew eat at Leon de Bruxelles ABOVE: Clare doubts she'll adopt again while Andrew has adopted an abandoned puppy

MOST of us take our natural parentage for granted, but for more than 4,000 children in the UK, the sheer notion of having someone they can call Mum and Dad is an alien one.

Two famous names whose lives were changed by adoption are singer Clare Grogan and celebrity hair stylist Andrew Barton.

After six miscarriages and four failed IVF attempts, former Altered Images lead singer Clare decided to adopt and, as soon as she and husband Steven set eyes on their beloved daughter Ellie Lucia, they knew it was the best decision of their lives.

Ellie is now seven and absolutely gorgeous, beams 49-year-old Clare.

Im quite a private person, but when it comes to the subject of adoption Im willing to share because I think that for a lot of couples who cant have their own children, its a fantastic solution and a great way forward particularly if youve had a rough ride.

Top London hairdresser Andrew has experienced the privilege and pleasure of adoption from the other side he was adopted as a three-month-old baby and has never seen it as anything other than the natural course of his life.

For me, Mum and Dad were always my real parents and Ive never been interested in meeting my biological mother because shes not my mum, says 45-year-old Andrew, currently in training for his first marathon, which hell be running in April to raise money for the charity of which both he and Clare are patrons the British Association for Adopting & Fostering (BAAF).

With so many heartfelt personal stories to hear, we decided to treat Clare and Andrew to a fabulous lunch at the newly opened Lon de Bruxelles, the first international branch of one of Belgiums most renowned restaurants, in the heart of Londons West End where over some hearty Flemish fare we learnt about Andrews A-list clients and why Clares more than willing to keep singing her trademark song Happy Birthday

Clare, tell us about your adopted daughter Ellie is she a fan of your music and might she ever follow in your footsteps?

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Interview: Clare Grogan and Andrew Barton