01.02.02

Lisa To Concentrate On Her Solo Career

Lisa has officially announced that she will be concentrating on her own solo career whilst her brothers band, 3SL, who she manages are on tour with S Club 7.
She has been in talks with several record companies and is about to sign a deal within the next couple of days. We wish her all the luck in the world and we can't wait to hear some of the fab solo stuff that she'll be releasing soon.
Lisa will also have a new official website soon as will H and Claire and there will be a new Lisa Zone opening on this site to cater for Lisa's solo career in the near future. We've already started work on the H And Claire Zone and we'll bring you more news on Lee and Faye as we get it.



Poll Results So Far

A few days into the voting on who the STEPS Home UK visitors think will be the most successful solo (or duo) STEPSters and here are the results so far:

H & Claire 33%
Faye 28%
Lisa 19%
Lee 4%

To cast your vote visit the Poll Postion page.



Steppy Stuff

As it's a new month we have new photo of the month and I'll hopefully be putting up some of the e-mails we recieved in the Talking Point page later. Check the What's New page to see any further updates.



02.02.02

Keeping It In The Family

Following the news that she is set to launch a solo career, Lisa Scott-Lee says she wouldn't rule out recording with 3SL, the hot new boyband that just so happens to be made up of her three younger brothers!
The lads seem pretty keen too, Steve said that they'd definately be involving their newly solo sis on one of their tracks later this year!
We can't wait, it's gonna be great!!



Faye Back In The UK

Faye has arrived back home in the UK after a week touring on the QE2 with Russel Watson. Faye performed several solo tracks on the cruise as well as singing a duo with Watson.
She will be hosting the Grosvenor Hotel's Valentine's Day Ball on the 14th of Feb and she hopes to have her first single out in the spring!



Steppy Stuff

We've been doing a bit on The H & Claire Zone so check that out. There will be zones for each member of STEPS. Obviously the zones will grow as they actually start releasing material. So keep checking into STEPS Home UK because the best is yet to come!

Good news everyone the Gold Club newsletters will be starting agin this week! If you would like to recieve one make sure you sign up today!
*Members of the old club will need to sign up again at the new address!



03.02.02

Lisa Steps Out With Her Man

Lisa Scott-Lee and her fiance Johnny Shentall enjoyed a romantic night out together at The Ivy Restarant in London, Lisa looked stunning as usual and she revealed we'll be seeing a lot more of her, when she launches her first solo single!
Meanwhile Johnny has confirmed that he has quit his band, Boom!, the group only had one hit, 'Falling' and that was early last year, so Johnny is going back to his roots and taking up dancing again. Perhaps he and Lisa will be able to team up on stage again soon!
(Thanks to Lisa Scott-Lee Paradise for the pic)



New Duo View Premiere Of Taboo

H and Claire made one of their first appearances as a duo at the charity held premiere of Boy George's new stage show, Taboo, in London this weekend.
H was embarrassed at being hailed 'the artist formely known as H' after he was spotted in the audience.



04.02.01

Idols Who Irritate

You look at Claire Richards and what do you see a gorgeous, talented young woman who sparkles with every smile, well that's what we see, but apparently the majority of people think not!
In fact Claire is one of the most annoying people in the UK, well according to internet site www.amiannoying.com
Their poll states that an amazing 90.12% of their visitors find curvy Clara a pain in the neck!
Never mind Claire we still love ya!


Blood Is Thicker Than Water

It's true what they say - blood really is thicker than water. Partcularly if it's Byrne Blood management! It has been revealed that it's not only H & Claire who have opted to stay with their old management team, Lisa has also just resigned with them!
Meaning that it's only Faye and Lee who have chosen to fly from STEPS nest. Faye is currently signed to, Paul Stacey.


Steppy Stuff

The Faye Zone has opened today - there's still loads more to be done on all the zones, but we can't really get started until they all start releasing solo stuff.



05.02.01

Johnny Steps In To Hear'Say

Chart toppers Hear'Say have finally named their replacement for Kym Marsh who quit the band last month.
Johnny Shental was unveiled at a packed press conference at a central London hotel.
The 23-year-old from Doncaster, South Yorks, was previously in the band Boom.
His girlfriend is Lisa Scott-Lee who was in the pop group Steps until their Boxing Day split.
Shentall was picked after two-days of auditions at which 4000 hopefuls had tried out to become the fifth member of the band which was launched last year on ITVs Popstars.
He said it was a great privilege to be joining Hear'Say and that his girlfriend was very happy and proud that he had made it through.
He will work on the band's new single which will be released in the next few months and will also perform on their Arena tour in September.
Hear'Say member Danny Foster said Shentall had proved the "cream of the crop" from two days of gruelling auditions.
Suzanne Shaw added: "Johnny is an all-rounder, he has the right look, he sings well, dances well and he is perfect for the role."
The band spent the night whittling down the final 12 hopefuls from the open auditions.
Noel Sullivan said it had been a very difficult process but they were now sure they had the right member for the future.
"This is Hear'Say the new chapter," he said.
Asked why they had replaced a female band member with a male, Myleene Klass said: "We wanted to keep the doors open and let talent speak for itself."
The vacancy in the band arose when Marsh quit after rumours of infighting and a split over a publicity campaign.
Despite one member of the original line-up leaving, the remaining stars insisted that they wanted to carry on in a bid for further chart success.
The search for the new band member will be featured on Hear'say, A New Chapter', starting on Saturday night on ITV2.
(ITV news)

Johnny Was The Cream Of The Crop

Danny Foster says new Hear'Say member Johnny Shentall was the "cream of the crop" from two days of auditions.
The 23-year-old from Doncaster was unveiled at a packed press conference in London.
Shentall told reporters it was a "great privilege" to be joining the band.
He said his girlfriend, former Steps singer Lisa Scott-Lee, was "very happy and proud" that he had made it through.
Hear'Say's Suzanne Shaw added: "Johnny is an all-rounder, he has the right look, he sings well, dances well and he is perfect for the role."
(Ananova)


Hear'Say Story Enters 'New Chapter' With Kym's Replacement
Noel Sullivan says the introduction of new member Johnny Shentall marks a new chapter in the Hear'Say story.
The 23-year-old will begin work on the band's new single in the coming weeks.
He will also perform with Hear'Say on their arena tour of the UK in September.
Asked why they had replaced a female band member with a male, Myleene Klass said: "We wanted to keep the doors open and let talent speak for itself."
The vacancy in the band arose when Kym Marsh quit after rumours of infighting and a split over a publicity campaign.
Despite one member of the original line-up leaving, the remaining stars insisted they wanted to carry on in a bid for further chart success.
Thousands of hopefuls turned up early on Sunday to audition for the group, which scored a record-breaking hit with their first single Pure And Simple.
Most had their hopes of stardom dashed without singing a note because they did not have the "right look" for the band, but 400 were asked to stay on for further auditions.
After finally whittling down the hopefuls to just 12, the band spent last night with executives making the final decision.
(Ananova)

Steps Star's Lover in Hear'Say

The fianc of former Steps star Lisa Scott-Lee, Johnny Shentall, is to be the new member of pop act Hear'Say. Johnny Shentall
Shentall, 23, from Doncaster and an ex-member of chart group Boom!, queued up with 3,000 other hopefuls and was chosen after two days of intensive auditions. He will take the place of Kym Marsh, who left the band last month. Shentall was the "cream of the crop" in the weekend's auditions, his new bandmates said on Tuesday. Shentall told a press conference in London he was a fan of the band, saying: "I think they are great and I think they make people smile." Click here to tell us what you think about the new Hear'Say. The other members - who Shentall will now join on recordings and a national arena tour later this year - said he stood out from the others who auditioned. "It was really hard to make the decision as there was so much great talent but Johnny is perfect for Hear'Say," Suzanne Shaw said.
3,000 hopefuls queued up to audition on Sunday
"He has a fantastic voice and shares our sense of humour, which will help him fit in quickly." Noel Sullivan billed the band's future as: "Hear'Say - the new chapter." Myleene Klass said they had not known whether they wanted a male or a female replacement for Marsh, but they had "let talent speak for itself". While with Boom!, Shentall enjoyed a number 11 UK hit single while with Falling, and took part in TV appearances and a Smash Hits tour that was seen by thousands of pop fans.
He first met Scott Lee when he auditioned to become a dancer with Steps, and proposed on a boat on the River Thames on Valentine's Day 2001. Shentall said his future wife did not mind that he was about to join Hear'Say, despite the fact that she has just left the pop limelight after Steps split up. "She's very happy and she's very proud and she can't wait to see me," he said.
Korben was in the final group of contender.
But he declined to show off his singing voice at the announcement. He will now go straight into the band to begin recording, and his progress will be shown as a TV series - much as the as the selection process of the original band members was. One of the finalists on the ITV1 show Pop Idol, Korben, also made it through to the group of 12 in the final stages of the auditions - but was not chosen. Kym Marsh left the group last month, amid a flurry of media speculation that she had fallen out with fellow member Myleene Klass. Even with the added momentum of a new member, the band faces a challenging time as their popularity had been on the wane and many had predicted that they would not last until the end of the year.
(BBC)


Johnny - The Facts

Born in Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Went to stage school in Essex
Met Lisa Scott-Lee in 1999
Auditioned to be a dancer for Steps
Proposed on a boat on the Thames on Valentine's Day
Had a number 11 hit single with former band Boom!
Has said his nickname is "Beefcake"


Hear'Say finally revealed their new member of the band at a photo call at London's Hilton Hotel, Park Lane this lunchtime. Hear'Say arrived by draping a coat over new member, Johnny Shentall, before revealing him to the assembled press. Twenty-three-year-old Johnny, from Doncaster, was in the band Boom!
Johnny beat 3,000 other hopefuls to land the prestigious slot. A Hear'Say spokesman revealed that Johnny beat the final shortlist of six boys and six girls, one of whom included Pop Idol finalist, Korben.Hear'Say's Suzanne said: 'We spotted Johnny right from the start of the auditions. He had something special that just made him fit in.' Danny said: 'This will start the second chapter of Hear'Say. It keeps the doors open for us.'worldpop asked Johnny if he had spoken to fiancee, Lisa Scott Lee, ex Steps, since joining the band. He said, 'Yes, she's very happy for me and she can't wait to see me do well. I've always liked Hear'Say's music. I think they make people smile.'ITV2 plan to screen Hear'Say: The Next Chapter on Saturday evening, which will feature the audition process through which Johnny was chosen.
(Worldpop)



06.02.01

Johnny In Hear'Say Accused Of Being A Fix

IT was billed as a once in a lifetime opportunity for pop stardom, a chance for unknowns to taste fame.
But last night fans were outraged after finding out HEARSAY had recruited old pal JOHNNY SHENTALL as KYM MARSHs replacement.
They rejected 5,000 other wannabes in favour of Johnny, a well-known face on the showbiz circuit who is engaged to former STEPS star LISA SCOTT LEE.
Oh, and coincidentally he was also a dancer with HearSay when they performed on the Top Of The Pops Awards last November even though both sides claim they had never met before the auditions.
Johnny, 23, was supposed to have been plucked from obscurity to replace Kym who quit the Popstars band earlier this month.
To add to the fix storm, Lisas old groupemployed dance teacher Paul Domaine who is also HearSays choreographer.
My shocking revelations raise doubts on whether the search for Kyms replacement had already been decided.
Thousands of wannabes from across the UK travelled to the auditions in South London on Sunday hoping to win a place in the band alongside MYLEENE KLASS, SUZANNE SHAW, NOEL SULLIVAN and DANNY FOSTER.
But many are furious that their time was apparently wasted.
There are accusations the result was a fix, with claims the decision had been made before the auditions.
It was also decided the new recruit would be a man even though thousands of women turned up with dreams of fame.
Johnny, who used to be in a flop teen group called Boom, was one of 14 dancers on stage when HearSay performed at the Manchester TOTP ceremony.
But yesterday the bands manager CHRIS HERBERT denied he knew Johnny. He said: Ive never met Johnny before today. I didnt even know he was previously in a band.
The auditions were certainly high profile, gaining HearSay much needed publicity after their last album flopped and they were overshadowed by Pop Idol.
But eyebrows were raised by the speed of the selection process. The original Popstars series took three months to find talent these took just two days.
Speaking on Londons Capital FM, Pop Idol judge NEIL FOX said: I think its a total con. Kids came from all over the country and most of them never even got a chance to audition.
It was a publicity stunt that I hope backfires. You reap what you sow.
Angry fan Rochelle Reding, 18, of Loughton, Essex, was one of the hopefuls who queued for hours.
She blasted: There were rumours that HearSay knew they wanted a boy from the start. Its disgusting. What a waste of time.
But last night HearSay denied the result was a fix and insisted Johnny was a worthy winner.
A spokesman for Polydor records said: Theres no truth in that rumour. It was a professional audition and Johnny queued like everyone else. Johnny said: Being in HearSay is a dream come true.
Were you one of the 5,000 hopefuls? Tell me what you think about Johnnys appointment by phoning Bizarre on 020 7782 4036.
(The Sun)

HEAR'SAY were accused of a pop con last night after the fiance of an ex-Steps star became the band's new member.
Johnny Shentall was picked from thousands of hopefuls yesterday to replace Kym Marsh.
The group claim they had never met him before. But the 23-year-old, who is engaged to singer Lisa Scott Lee, is hardly a pop nobody.
He was in the boy band Boom! and may have danced for a Hear'Say video, his brother revealed.
His appointment will stun the 4,000 who queued in the rain on Sunday for auditions.
Reject Nicki McCash, 19, from Dundee said: "It's a fix. It just doesn't seem fair."
And Pop Idol judge Dr Fox added: "It's a total con.
"They should have told people from the start so kids didn't have to travel all over the country for nothing. You can't use people that badly."
Johnny's brother Steven, 31, said: "I don't know if he knows the band well but I think he was a dancer in one of their videos."
Hear'Say chiefs were adamant they had never seen Johnny before and insisted his talent was spotted in the crowd at rehearsal rooms near Brixton, South London.
He got the job after singing a rendition of the band's The Way To Your Love and showing off his dancing skills.
Manager Chris Herbert said: "I'm not aware of his background or if he has been in any other group. I have not met him before.
"He joined the back of the queue like everyone else and stood out from all the rest. Johnny excelled at audition. He is the all round package."
Singer Suzanne Shaw added: "He looks right, sings and dances. He's got it all."
Johnny. of Doncaster, South Yorks, said: "I have always been a performer and this is a dream come true. Lisa is very happy for me."
(The Mirror)


STEPS Home UK Say: Having met Johnny a number of times, it's very sad to see the press picking on him like this, Johnny is a really lovely guy and he doesn't deserve all this at all. He was obviously the right man for the job regardless of who he is engaged to or who he is friends with - so we just want to wish Johnny and the rest of Hear'Say all the best for the future!



Global Releases

STEPS' split seems to have helped them to shift n copies of their new album and singles abroad - it's had the reverse effect here in the UK with Gold slipping further down the charts everyday.
Their latest single in Australia is Chain Reaction and it entered the charts there at No.41 whichj is their highest chart position over there since the release of Say You'll Be Mine. The tracklisting is the same as the UK CD1

1.Chain Reaction
2.One For Sorrow (US Remix)
3.Stop Me From loving You

STEPS are also faring well in New Zeland their Greatest Hits album Gold has jumped massive amount of chart palces by going from No.45 to No.17! This gives them their first Top 20 album there since Step One!



Steppy Stuff

The Lisa Zone has opened today - there's still loads more to be done on all the zones, but we can't really get started until they all start releasing solo stuff.



07.02.02

Lisa STEPS Off The Pop Train

After years of being trapped in pop hell as a member of Steps it's not surprising that Lisa Scott Lee's solo career will take a different direction.
While Claire and H will team up for a ballad, Lisa is to join forces with underground dance producers Pure Kinetiks.
Lisa, whose fiance Johnny Shentall is the new member of Hear'Say, met them at the Yard Cutz studio in Borough, South London, yesterday.
Our source says: "She doesn't want to go down the straight pop route like Claire and H. She wants to make her mark as an individual and not as a continuation of a defunct pop band."
(The Mirror)



Lisa And Johnny To Make TV Debut Together

HEAR'SAY have been making the headlines all week, as they've announced a replacement for Kym Marsh, in the form of hunky JOHNNY SHENTALL. Johnny's going out with ex-Steps member LISA SCOTT-LEE and in a double-whammy, not only will the NEW LOOK HEAR'SAY be live in the studio all morning to join in the fun, but we'll be EXCLUSIVELY talking to the band AND LISA in CD:UK, so get your e-mails and texts in now at the usual address and tune in this Saturday to hear all the latest gossip from HEAR'SAY and from LISA-SCOTT LEE, who's in charge of hunky new boy band 3SL!
Check the diary page for further details!
(smtvlive)



08.02.01

Lisa - So Sorry To Fans

Lisa tells the new issue of Smash Hits all about the split..."The split came as a shock to all of us. The end came very suddenly. It all happened quickly - within a day. It certainly wasn't something that was planned and it's going to take some time to sink in" Lisa has her mind firmly set on solo projects saying "I am very excited about the future. I'm looking forward to getting to where I want to be as a solo artist, I'm a very determined and ambitious girl. As for the others I can't really speak for them. But I will miss the laughter. Especially between me and H. We laughed until we cried, we really had so much fun together." Lisa had one last message for her fans. "I would like to apologise to all our fans and thank everyone who supported us, we always wanted to go out on top and we did. We were the first boy-girl group of our generation and a lot of people say we were the original and the best. That's how I'd like people to remember us, I guess that it's time for us to move over and make room for new talent."



Pop Idol Was Star Of STEPS Talent Show

We can exclusively reveal that Gareth Gates, the star of ITVs Pop Idol, was a contestant on STEPS To The Stars.
Gareth who has overcome a stutter to appear in tomorrows grand final is backed all the way by STEPS babe Claire Richards who says: " I want Gareth to win! He appeared on our talent show STEPS To The Stars, and won a heat, but a line-dancing seven year old beat him in the final.
He was 16 then and lovely. I think he sang an Elton John song and he could hardly communicate beacause his stammer was so bad, but his sister was with him and she was really kind. I really hope Gareth wins because he's so sweet. I find the programme addictive."
The Pop Idol final is screened tomorrow night on ITV1 Gareth is competing against rival Will Young.



Steppy Stuff

Lot's of Steppy stuff in the mags this week.
Smash Hits has Lisa talking about the shock of the split and Top Of The Pops magazine gives us a free poster of STEPS plus they take a look back at the highs and lows that the fab five experienced in their time as the No.1 band on planet pop.

The H and Claire Zone and The Lisa Zone have all been updated!



09.02.01

Lisa Denies Feud Caused Split

Lisa gave her first TV interview since the split on this morning's CD:UK and was quick to deny claims made by H and Claire that a feud within the band had caused STEPS to split.
Speaking to host Cat Deeley, she went onto admit that she was closer to Faye and Lee and that she hadn't spoken to either H or Claire since the top selling band decided to call it a day. But she denied that it was a divide between herself, Faye and Lee and Claire and H which had resulted in the self destruction of STEPS.
Lisa offered no explanation of why she thought the band had split, but did say that it had been a complete shock to her and that she was looking forward to concentrating on her solo plans.
For more about Lisa visit our Lisa Scott-Lee Zone!



Lisa On GM:TV

Lisa will be on GM:TV one day next week to talk about her new solo career, her thoughts on the split and her boyfriend Johnny getting into Hear'Say.
We'll give you further details as we get them.



10.02.01

Lisa Pops The Question

Lisa was backstage at last nights Pop Idol grand final and was talking in length about whoi she thought shoul win on ITV2s Pop Idol Extra.
She asked the finalists, Will Young and Gareth Gates if either of them would fancy forming a duo with her and both boys were quick to reply a resounding yes!
She then went on to congratulate the boys on their fabulous performances and praised them for singing live on the show. MTVs Edith Bowman suggested that this was something Lisa and the rest of STEPS should do more of, but as ever lovely Lisa was quick to jump in and defend STEPS by saying that they ahd actually proved that they could sing live on several of their sell out UK tours and that it was easier to sing live to a ballad rather than an upbeat pop track.



Loads Of Lisa TV

Lisa will be on GM:TV with 3SL tomorrow morning from 6.00am so you'll all have to set your alarms for that one.
Then next monday she'll be appearing on Never Mind The Buzzcocks.
C5 are screening a repeat of their Night Fever STEPS Special too so we've plenty of Steptacular TV on offer.
For further details see the diary page.



Johnny's Secret Sadness

HEARSAY new boy Johnny Shentall was overjoyed to win a place in the band this week.
But behind the smiles he hid a secret heartache cancer killed his best friend at the age of just 20.
Richard Cooper had recovered from an operation to remove a tumour from his brain when he was 13.
Johnny and other classmates helped Richard back to health. But seven years later the tumour returned and killed him.
Johnnys dad John, 51, an engineer, said: They were good friends for years. Johnny was heartbroken when Richard died.
The pair were inseparable as teenagers at McAuley RC High School in Doncaster, South Yorks, sharing a love of soccer and gorgeous girls.
Richard was a regular visitor to Johnnys neat detached bungalow home in nearby Bentley.
Richards dad Peter, 52, a factory manager from Braithwaite, said: Richard would have been over the moon to know that his mate was a famous pop star.
"Richard often mentioned his friend Shentall and we knew he danced. I regularly acted as their chauffeur when they were lads. I remember dropping them off at Alton Towers after Richards first operation. I am so pleased that Johnny has got this break and we wish him well.
Richards mum Christine, 50, a receptionist, recalled: Richard was a character Johnny must have been one too to get on with him so well.
Richard was always up to something he was very laddish. He was into football, particularly Liverpool, and helping people.
Johnny and Richards other good friends would always come and see him and include him in things.
Richard would have been really chuffed for Johnny now.
Johnnys other best mate from Class 11L is Ryan Lightfoot, 23, who works for the DVLA when he is not playing guitar with his rock band Libawalks.
Ryan, from Doncaster, also has happy memories of his times with Richard and Johnny.
He said: John was always quite loud, outgoing and sporty. After Richards first operation some pals went to Alton Towers with him.
John was there and we were really good mates then. He always wanted to succeed he had the same attitude in everything from an early age. He wanted to make his mark.
Dance teacher Maureen Johnson also remembers the determination in five-year-old Johnny when he joined her dance school in Doncaster.
His mum Lilly, 50, would take the youngster for regular lessons. His dedication paid off with the offer of a place at the Royal Ballets summer school in 1991.
Johnnys elder brother Steven, 31, who now works in aircraft manufacture, was never a dancer but Johnny worked solidly on his skills.
Dance teacher Maureen, 57, said: We had him at the school from the age of five to 17. He was a proper little lad.
He was the only boy in a class of 20 girls in fact, he was the only lad in the dancing school.
Maureen added: He always wanted to dance that was his all-consuming interest.
He took a lot of stick from his school friends but he was always strong as a boy and wouldnt have been picked on.
He was, in fact, very strong and had a good personality. He was very polite and still comes up to see us hes still the same lad when he walks through that door.
He regularly got to the English championships and was a finalist in stage, tap, ballet and modern dancing. Johns no overnight success hes served his time.
The new pop star found his love of dancing when he was a pupil at Our Lady of Perpetual Help RC primary school.
Teacher Lyn Hall, 47, said: He got some stick about his dancing but he persevered and ignored it.
He was never a namby-pamby and he always had muscles.
In those days we had prefects and Johnny was the head boy. He is a born leader.
He was so sensible and never did anything bad to anyone. He stood out through his character.
When he reached his teens, Johnnys dedication to dance often clashed with his passion for playing football he was a talented midfielder in the McAuley school soccer team.
His old soccer teacher, George Long, recalls Johnny being in a team that had plenty of success.
George said: Johnny was in and out of the team because he wanted to go dancing and so could be unavailable for selection. He took dancing very seriously.
He was a creative midfield player a real twinkle toes. Im pleased for him. Team-mate Gareth Kingsley, 23, recalls Johnnys love of the beautiful game.
He said: He played for Bessacarr Boys as well as the school team. We were invincible we won league and cup doubles in three successive seasons.
Another pal, Joanne Dickman, 22, who now works in a fashion store, said: He was popular with the girls because he was a goodlooking lad. He was quiet but really easy to get on with.
I saw him in my shop about a year ago when he came in with his girlfriend Lisa from Steps. It was amazing seeing them together.
But he didnt seem to have changed. He hasnt gone all big-headed.
Johnnys one big regret is that his showbiz career with his first band Boom prevented him from going to pal Richards funeral.
Dad John said: He desperately tried to rearrange his work schedule to get back to Doncaster for the funeral.
But it was a crucial engagement that all the band members had to attend.
He sent flowers and his condolences and came back to Doncaster to see his and Richards old friends at the first possible opportunity.



11.02.01

Catching Up With Faye

It seems that since she announced her plans to go solo and to sign a new record deal things have been decidly quiet on the Faye Tozer front - well fear not because STEPS' bubbliest blonde has been very busy indeed, as you know she went on a cruise on the QE2 to sing with her old pal Russel Watson and while she was out there she thought she may as well pop in to perform in what was being billed as one of
the musical events of the year in New Zeland!
The event has been filmed for World Wide television so it should be broadcast in the UK. We'll give you more details on that as we get them. It is also rumoured that a duet that she has been performing on tour with Russel may be released as a single.
Closer to home, Faye will be hosting the Grosvenor Hotel's Valentines Day Ball on Thursday night in London.



H & Claire By Request

These are what are rumoured to be the lyrics of what could possibly be the debut single from H & Claire - thanks to everyone who sent them in.

By Request
(H Watkins, Claire Richards, Steve Levine)

Lemme go, To let you go go
Come on, Come on
You're telling me to give answers
Do you know how I feel?
You're telling me to go away
Think about it twice
I'm not that kind
I will survive
But the truth is that:

CHORUS

I've been lying to you by request
'Cos you've been doing to me just the same
'Cos you were going with someone else
'Cos you were taking my love away
'Cos I've been lying to you by request
'Cos I didnt know what was next
'Cos I've been lying you by request
'Cos you were taking my love away

Come on, Come on
When did your lies end
I just couldn't figure it out
The real world is hurting me
But I got to let you go
I'm not that kind
I will survive
But the truth is that:

CHORUS

Come on, Come on
Just let me know
How does it feel
You feel guilty now (guilty now)
But this is ending now (ending now)
I'm not that kind (not that kind)
I will survive (will survive)
But the truth is that:

CHORUS

Cos I've been lying you by request!


This is unlikely to be the debut single as the debut single is apparently going to be a disco number which we've heard is called DJ and also H usually calls himself I.Watkins when he's songwriting so we'll have to just wait and see what emerges from this one.



Global Releases

The Gold CD, VHS and DVD have now all been released in France so we'll have to wait and see how they do.
It appears that it's been released in most countries now so let's hope they do as well as they did here in the UK.



13.02.02

No Release For Step Two

Byrne Blood management have confirmed that ther are no plans to release 'Step Two' which would have been STEPS fifth album. They also said that plans to release 'Baby Don't Dance' as a farewell single have been scrapped.
It's basically what we expeced as there is no way that you would get the band back together to do promotion for it and they're all trying to start their solo careers so probably don't really want to be bothered with going back to do STEPS related things.



The Gold Tour Out In Time For Easter

Lisa has said that the Gold Tour will probably bne out to buy on VHS and possibly DVD sometime around Easter.
The Gold Tour was recorded on the last night of STEPS' recent tour in Manchester just a few days before they split, it was actually their last ever performance together as a band, so it's definately worth seeing.



Lee In Talks With Agents

According to World Pop Lee is currently in talks with agents over developing a new career in acting.



14.02.01

Good Luck Sarah

We'd just like to wish our very own Sarah from STEPS Home UK good luck in her very special and Steptastic interview she's going for tomorrow. We hope that she does marvellously and we want to thanks for all her hard work and dedication to the site. We're all keeping our fingers crossed for you.
And while we're on the subject of the STEPS Home UK team, would you like to be a part of it? Well now you can, since the STEPS split the site has just got bigger and more popular by the day with a huge amount of extra hits and visitors we really need to build up an even larger and dedicated team of people.
If you would like to work on one of our zones ie The H and Claire Zone The Lisa Zone or The Faye Zone then e-mail us your details today and we promise we'll get right back to you!



Site News

If you want to send in aletter for this weeks Talking Point please make sure you have it in by tomorrow. It can be about anything you want this week.

Also if you have a STEPS or a STEPS related site that you want added to our links oage then please send them in by Saturday as we'll be updating the links page.



More News On Lee

Just a quickn snippet regarding yesterdays story about Lee being talks with some acting agents, apparently one of the agents interested in him is none other thanb the agent of top movie star Ewan McGregor!



16.02.01

It's Valentine Faye

Faye was the hostess with the mostess on Thursday night when she hosted The Grosvenor House Hotel's annual Valentine's Day Ball. Faye looked stunning as usual and belted her way through a string of classic love songs for the captivated audience. We'll hopefully have some exclusive photos for you soon so keep your eye out for that one.



Site News

We've been inundated with e-mails after our request for helpers on the various zones and we want to thank each and everyone of you for your kind offers. Now what we're really looking for is people to help on Faye's Zone. We know that the gorge Faye has some of the best fans out there so what are yu waiting for - we need your help! Mail us today at stepshomeuk@aol.com for further deatils.



Talking Point

If you want to mail us your views on anything for this weeks Talking Pooint then you have an extra day to do so as Talking Point won't be updated until tomorrow.



17.02.01

Faye To Play At FA Cup Show

Former Steps star Faye Tozer is to take part in a pre-FA Cup Final concert.
The show also featuring Russell Watson, Bond and Lesley Garrett will take place at Cardiff Arms Park.
It will take place at 7.30pm on May 3 and be screened on BBC1 at 10.35pm that night.
The FA Cup Final takes place on May 4 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Russell Watson also kicks off his UK tour at Cardiff International Arena on April 3.
The tour also includes dates at Wembley Arena, Newcastle Arena, the Brighton Centre, Glasgow SECC and the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham.
(Ananova)



H & Claire Competition

We've been able to get hold of a very exclusive signed H & Claire promo card and we're going to be giving it away to one of our lucky vistors!
All you have to do is answer the following question:

At the end of the second series of STEPS II The Stars H and Claire sang a duet. What was it called?

Send your answer along with your name to stepshomeuk@aol.com
Only one entry per person and all entries must be in by this Friday.



Site News

We've been working away on the solo STEPS members site over the weekend and we also want to say a big thankyou to all of you who mailed us offering your help on them.

The usual updates will take place later so check the what's new page for more on those.



18.02.02

Global News

 

 

 

20.02.02

 

H & Claire: The Truth

 

H and Claire have been cast ads the villians who split STEPS and broke pop's heart on Boxing Day. But fresh from announcing that they werre going to form a duo, the pair gave Planet Pop theur side of the story, telling us why STEPS split and what they really think of the other members of the band.
According to Claire it was the other three members lack of enthusiasm for STEPS' music that actually forced the split. In interviews Faye had made it clear that she didn't like the music.
"It's almost insulting to the fans to say, 'We're launching this music on you, but I don't actually like it or believe in it'" Claire sighed. "The fans will feel betrayed. H and I are a little bit younger than the others and we grew up in a pop environment so were were more comfortable with it. Certain people forgot where they started. OK, people do grow up and change but if there's an inkling that you don't believe in it any longer, you shouldn't carry on. And it was becoming obvious that people wanted to go off and do 'cooler' things - go to the NME awards (Faye attended in 2001) instead of the Smash Hits awards and stuff like that. But that's not what being in a pop band is about. I enjoy pop and would much rather be in a pop band than a grungy rock band, just imagine H in a band like that - it wouldn't work!"
H admitted that leaving had been difficult. "It was really, really upsetting and I'm not over it yet," he said. "It wasn't supposed to come out 'til a press conference in January, but the papers got hold of it and we had to get it out. I didn't want it to happen on Boxing Day, but we wanted to be honest to our fans."
Claire though was very angry at the way she and H have been portrayed. "We've been made out to be the nasty ones in all of this," she said.
"The attention has been focussed on the letters that we gave to the rest of the band. But we were contractually obliged to give a letter of notice. It wasn't all cold and business like there were lots of tears and lots of hugs. We certainly didn't have an argument and we felt ther was no bad feeling."
Claire also stressed that the decision to continue with H had been taken only after they had left the band.
"We talked about it over Christmas, after the STEPS split. We spents lots of time together as just mates and not colleagues and we realised that we really like each other and would really like to work together."
"We're going to be making good quality pop and not try to be anything that we're not," added H. "There won't be any drastic image changes or anything like that. We just want people to listen to the music and enjoy themselves."

And The Rest?

Claire On Lee:
Lee always enjoyed songwriting so he might continue to do that. He also said for a long time that he wanted to act. Who know?

Claire On Lisa:
I think Lisa would be good at the pop thing, but she likes people like Natalie Imbruglia so I think she might go down that route. I know it will be very different from STEPS.

Claire On Faye:
I dobt Faye will do pop. Her fiance is very much into rock, and the demos she'd recorded were a bit more ecletic, really. She even mentioned once that she would be happy to just stick to songwriting.

(Smash Hits)

 

 

 Claire's A Real Gem Of A Girl

Prepare for the battle of the dazzling diamond babes at tonight's ceremony.
Dido will be wearing a ring worth 500,000 and a 200,000 pendant from Mouawad .
The firm have also lent some spectacular jewellery to Mis-teeq and Samantha Mumba, Danni Minogue.
But ex-Steps singer Claire Richards and Sophie Ellis Bextor have been trusted to wear more than a million pounds worth of diamonds each.
(The Mirror)

 

 

Steppy Stuff

 

The new issue of Smash Hits is out now and as well as the interview with H and Claire you can read a two page article about Lisa and 3SL.

Lisa is also featured in this months More magazine.

 

 

 

21.02.02

 

H & Claire Look A Brit Of Alright

Dyanamic Duo - H and Claire dazzled the crowd

Former STEPS singers H and Claire Richards went all out for last nights Brits. Claire and H, aka Ian Watkins, are becoming a duo after the demise of the chart topping band - and they made a big impression at the bash. Claire wore a sequin dress by top designer Anna Molinari, while H sported a £150,000 watch by Mouward.

(The Daily Star)

 

Faye's A Poet And We Didn't Know It

There's no hanging around for Faye Tozer. Although STEPS only split last December, Faye's planning to release her first solo single in the spring. Boyfriend Jasper reckons Faye's lyrics are "very poetic".

(CD:UK)

 

 

 

22.02.02

 

 

Lee's Next Step

Former STEPS singer Lee Latchford-Evans has reportedly been in talks with celebrity agents Peters, Fraser and Dunlop, plotting his next career move. The firm also represents Kate Winslet, Ewan McGregor and French and Saunders.

Lisa's Tips For The Top

As an ex member of super group STEPS and manager to new boy band 3sl, Lisa Scott-Lee is certainly well equipped to give out advice for anyone wanting be a star and in this months More magazine that's exactly what she does.

First up for Lisa's advice is Kym Marsh, the ex Hear'Say star who Lisa's fiance Johnny took the place of, Lisa tells the mag:

"If Kym wants to be a solo star then she should just go for it. Life's about being happy though, and if she wasn't happy in Hear'Say or with the fame of being a popstar, then she may want to think again. There's no point having the fame or the money if you're not content!"

Wise words indeed! For more of Lisa's fab tips for the top get More which is out now.

Site News

As you may have noticed the site is getting a bit of spring clean (it's only feb!) at the moment and a few things are being added etc so keep an eye out for new features etc