Finding strength in her family: Michelle Heaton takes daughter Faith to play centre launch a week after revealing plans for double mastectomy

PUBLISHED: 10:39 EST, 24 October 2012 | UPDATED: 12:05 EST, 24 October 2012

Last week former popstar Michelle Heaton revealed that she was planning to have a double mastectomy and her ovaries removed in a bid to prevent cancer.

Deciding to make the most of her time before the operations, the star took her nine-month-old daughter, Faith, to Whipsnade Zoo on Wednesday to launch its new play centre.

Doting on her young daughter, Michelle let her hair down as they played together in the new area before taking some time out to visit the animals.

Having some fun: Michelle Heaton and baby Faith let their hair down at the launch of Whipsnade Zoo's new play centre

Looked relaxed and at ease, the former reality star wore black leggings and an orange, chiffon top as she spent time with her daughter.

Wearing her long brunette hair loose over her shoulders, Michelle seemed to be having fun as she had a go on the children's slide.

The 33-year-old star admitted on ITV's Lorraine last week that she has been diagnosed with a mutated gene BRCA2, which means she has an 80 per cent chance of developing breast cancer and a 30 per cent chance of developing ovarian cancer.

Focusing on the future: Michelle has been outspoken about her forthcoming operations and seems to be finding strength in her family

Letting their hair down: The former popstar and her young daughter sample the new activities at the play centre before visiting the animals

The former Liberty X singer has been outspoken about the fact that she will have the operations to remove the chance of developing cancer.

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Michelle seems to be finding strength from her family, and seemed in good spirits as she took to Twitter to write about her trip to the zoo:

'On way to @ZSLWhipsnadeZoo .. Me & #babyfaith get to name a baby camel! V.excited! Any suggestions? Xxxxx'

Letting her hair down: Michelle has some fun after her heartbreaking news a few months ago

Relaxing with the family: Michelle seems to enjoy spending some time with her nine-month-old daughter

A little later the star was obviously feeling a bit down, and tweeted that she needed food and champagne to cheer her up:

'I'm feeling a little low.. Me thinks a treat meal 2nite... Fajitas .. Potatoes wedges chocolate & Moët..... Not in that order! Lol ; ) xxx

Michelle has revealed that she's looking into surgery options but wants to have another baby before she has her ovaries removed.

Mother and daughter: Michelle and Faith seem to be having a great day out as they play on the slide

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cute kid !

- pulung widhi , bali, Indonesia, 25/10/2012 00:55

Click to rate Rating 14

...........................so the paps just happened to be at the play centre.......?

- Panda Bear , Brighton, United Kingdom, 25/10/2012 00:52

Click to rate Rating 18

Orange skin, pale baby comment, maybe, just maybe she kept her baby free from harmful uv rays. I don't wear fake tan I haven't traveled to sunnier climes this year but my little baby girls skin is very pure and white whilst my own is significantly darker - that's life ! p.s I don't visit sun beds either

- elizbiz , Glasgow, 25/10/2012 00:31

Click to rate Rating 7

Since when were photographers allowed into soft play areas? I don't like her but still sympathise with the health decisions she is faced with

- helena , london, 24/10/2012 22:51

Click to rate Rating 8

thats one adorable baby

- miss shirley , herts, 24/10/2012 21:55

Click to rate Rating 10

These play areas often don't let you take photos. Michelle manages to bring her pap friends in with her for an impromptu photo shoot.

- jo ------ jo , Nordirland, 24/10/2012 20:43

Click to rate Rating 11

Oh God! That baby is sooo cute! Ahh!