Motherhood has provided much of the inspiration for Jessie Ware’s new album, the singer has revealed.

The Jewish star, who gave birth to a daughter last year, said: “It was the best thing that could have happened for my work. I wrote eight of the 12 new songs since she’s been born. She’s made me more focused and more driven. I’m more decisive now.”

This week she is due to perform a series of intimate small gigs in Islington, north London – one of which will take place on her daughter’s first birthday.

She told the Evening Standard: “I’m scared I’m gonna cry, or just talk on stage about all the gory birth details that no one needs to hear. It will feel quite poignant.”

Married to Sam Burrows, a personal trainer who she first met at primary school, the 32-year-old, who once worked at the JC, will play a series of new songs as well as old favourites such as Wildest Moments and Tough Love.

She said of her fans coming to the concert: “I haven’t seen these people in a while, so we’ve got a lot to talk about, I guess.”