01.12.00
READY STEPPY COOK!
CLAIRE and LEE will be battling it out in kitchen on the new series of Celebrity Ready, Steady, Cook.
CLAIRE has already proved to be a dab hand by showing fans her culinary skills on Steps first video, where she whipped up her very own dish, Pasta a'la Clara in a few minutes.
But Lee may well surprise us all and be a budding chef in disguise!
That's this Wednesday on BBC1 at 7.30pm.
02.12.00
STEPS AND WESTLIFE KEPT AT ARMS LENGTH.
Record company bosses have ensured that the feud between members of STEPS and Westlife isn't re-ignited by keeping them apart at BBC Television Centre.
Both pop bands were there today (Friday December 1st) to rehearse their performances on tomorrow night's National Lottery show.
It's been reported that extra measures were taken to make sure that they were kept at opposite ends of the building and lookouts were even put in place to make sure neither group bumped into each other.
A music industry insider has revealed that the band's record companies aren't taking any chances. Since the well publicised spats between them, every precaution is being taken to avoid repeat performances.
Both STEPS and Westlife had to pre-record their parts for tomorrow's show because of the current industrial action at TV Centre and because of previously scheduled touring commitments.
(DotMusic)
Don't forget to watch the National Lottery tonight to see STEPS performance (check the diary for details)
03.12.00
H BRANDS BRYAN AND WESTLIFE CHART CHICKENS!
Westlifes Bryan McFadden had a few choice words for H from STEPS at the filming of the National Lottery for dubbing the Irish boy band chart chickens.
Bryan demanded the STEPS star repeat the insult to his face.
But it seems that its H who is the real-life chicken he told Bryan that STEPS cruel comments were all just a joke.
(The News Of The World)
04.12.00
IT'S THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL IN AT NO.3
STEPS new video has entered The Box Charts at No.3!
HERE AND NOW TO BE NEXT SINGLE?!
There have been rumours that HERE AND NOW will be the follow up single to IT'S THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL. We'll give you more info as we get it.
06.12.00
MORE SINGLE NEWS!
Here's more details on STEPS new single IT'S THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL, taken from AOL entertainment online, with yet another contridicting release date:
"Steps are to release a new single on January 2.
The Way You Make Me Feel was originally scheduled for a December 11 release and is the group's first single not to be produced by Pete Waterman's team.
The group asked Cheiron Studios in Sweden to craft them a song that's still 100% Steps. It's the fourth track to be taken from their hugely successful third album, Buzz.
The Way You Make Me Feel is backed by the Marvin Gaye classic Too Busy Thinking About My Baby. The band will be performing the track on the ITV show Motown Mania on December 16, and it is featured on the TV special's accompanying album which is released on December 18."
It's also interesting that this months issue of Maxim has the release date down as 11th January 2001.
There have been about 5 different dates swimming around so we'll be waiting for confirmation from the band on this one we think!
STEPS SCARED BY THEIR OWN DOLLS!
Pop superstars STEPS were freaked out after life like models of their bodiless heads were sent to them in the post.
The "Tragedy" singers were each sent a copy of the heads from the Steps dolls, minus the torsos leaving the band's female stars Lisa Scott-Lee, Faye Tozer and Claire Richards terrified that a madman was trying to contact them.
Lisa says, "I thought it was some deranged madman sending me some type of voodoo doll."
(MTV Asia)
08.12.00
STEPS SINGLE TO BE PACKED WITH NEW TUNES!
STEPS new single will definately be released on the 2nd January 2001 according to the official site and they also reveal that their will be 2 b-sides!
Their cover of TOO BUSY THINKING BOUT MY BABY and a new song penned by CLAIRE called IN IT FOR THE LOVE will be included on the single!
This could mean a 2 CD set which will no doubt please fans and could well secure STEPS their third No.1!
STEPS ON TOMORROWS CD:UK!
Steps will be live in the studio to perform their brand new single The Way You Make Me Feel, and the hardworking fivesome will also be kicking off the party with a performance of their latest No 1 Stomp on SM:tv. Martine McCutcheon will be hitting the stage for an exclusive preview of her brand new single On The Radio and the former EastEnder will be sticking around to answer your emails.
There will also be performances from a1 and Oxide and Neutrino and a video special on Robbie Williams.
SM:tv is just as jam-packed, with Steps and Martine McCutcheon joining in with all the games, plus appearances from Olympic athlete Denise Lewis and Family Fortunes host Les Dennis, who was voted SM:tv's favourite guest! Plus, Samantha Mumba fans can catch her strip search.
With all that, you'd be mad to miss it! SM:tv starts at 9.25am, followed by cd:uk at 11.30am. And for all the exclusive backstage gossip, check out worldpop after the show.
(World Pop)
09.12.00
CLAIRE IS DYING FOR A CHANGE!
Well barely a week goes by without one of the STEPS ladies or gents changing their hair style and this week it was the turn of CLAIRE who appeared on TV this morning sporting a rather fetching new hair colour.
Gone is the girlie blonde bob and in is the sleek and sophisticated brunette look. We have to say we think CLAIRE looks absolutely beautiful, but then again she always does!
PROFILE OF THE MAN WHO MAKES LISA'S HEART GO BOOM!
Well as you know our lovely LISA is dating Johnny Shentall from up and coming pop group Boom!
There's a double page spread in this months L&K magazine with the whole band, but there's only one member we're all interested in so here's Johnny's profile..
Full Name: Johnny George Shentall.
Nick Name: My mates call me Beefcake.
Age: 21.
Star Sign: Virgo.
What's under your bed?
I've got drawers under my bed, so everything's in order. There's no junk under my bed!
How would you fill in a lonely hearts ad?
Out going and loyal guy looking for quite an ambitious lady.
Ideal Woman: Jennifer Lopez.
Who would you be on Stars In Their Eyes?
Someone like Robbie cos he's a real entertainer.
What makes your heart go boom?
Someone quite attractive I can sit and talk to! I like petite girls really, or someone like Jennifer Lopez!
Where's home?
Doncaster, but I've been down here for about four or five years, 'cause I went to stage school in Essex.
10.12.00
H WINS FUNNIEST PERSON IN POP AGAIN!
H has won the coverted Funniest Person In Pop 2000 award at this years Smash Hits Poll Winners Party.
The very gorgeous and very hyperactive one won the award for the second time running, after he scooped the award last year too.
H beat off competition from the likes of Will Smith, Robbie Williams and Westlife's Bryan McFadden.
More On The Movers And Shakers At This Years Party!
STEPS failed to come away with any Smash Hits Awards as a group again this year, but they did manage to come 2nd in the Best British Band catergory and 3rd in the Best Band In The Universe category.
Below are the winners...
Best New Female - Sam Mumba
Best Tv Actor - Jack Ryder (Eastenders)
Best Male Solo - Ronan Keating
Best Dressed Male - Ronan Keating
Best Sports Star - David Beckham
Most Fanciable Male - Shane Filan (Westlife)
Best New Act - Atomic Kitten
Hero Of 2000 - Steve Redgrave
Best New Male - Craig David
Best TV Programme - Eastenders
Best British Band - Five
Funniest Person In Pop - H STEPS
Best Video - A1
Best Single - Westlife
Best Album - Westlife
Best International Band - Westlife
Best Haircut - Kian Egan (Westlife)
Best TV Actress - Natalie Cassidy (Eastenders)
Best Dancer - Britney Spears
Most Fanciable Female - Britney Spears
Best Sole Female - Britney Spears
Best Band In The Universe - Westlife
11.12.00
BUZZ GOES 2X PLATINUM!
STEPS' third album, BUZZ, may have dropped out of the top 10 albums this week, but it's still one of the biggest selling albums of 2000!
The album, that was released on 30th October, has already gone 2x platinum in the UK alone!
STEPS SURPRISE NOMINATION!
STEPS recieved a surprise nomination at yesterdays Smash Hits Awards..5th place in the Best Dance/Soul act!
The prize was won by US teen band Destiny's Child.
STEPS failed to pick up any gongs as a group, but H managed to scoop the Funniest Person In Pop Award for the second year running.
12.12.00
TRAGEDY FOR STEPS CLASSIC!
STEPS classic Tragedy really has become a Tragedy after it was voted 9th most embarrassing and cringe worthy song played at Christmas parties.
Other acts included in the list, compiled by music fans across the UK and Ireland, were Abba and Wham!.
MAKE A DATE WITH STEPS!
STEPS have proved to be the best selling pop band in the calendar sales this year! More pop fans want to make a date with STEPS than with Westlife or S Club 7!
Last year STEPS calendar was the biggest selling calendar across the UK!
They came third in the pop personality chart and seventh in the combined chart
Combined:
1 Harry Potter;
2 WWF;
3 Britney Spears;
4 Robbie Williams;
5 Pokemon;
6 Manchester United;
7 Steps;
8 Cliff Richard;
9 Westlife;
10 S Club 7.
Pop & personalities:
1 Britney Spears;
2 Robbie Williams;
3 STEPS;
4 Cliff Richard;
5 Westlife;
6 S Club 7;
7 Ronan Keating;
8 David Beckham;
9 5ive;
10 Michael Owen.
13.12.00
STEPS DO AMAZINGLY IN NME POP POLL!
STEPS may not have done as well as we hoped at the Smash Hits Awards, but they've more than made up for it with their results in the NME pop poll of 2000! They even managed to scoop Best Pop Video for DEEPER SHADE OF BLUE, Best Tour and Best Rumour!!!
The full results are as follows...
Album Of The Year
1. Invincible - Five
2. BUZZ - STEPS
3. Black & Blue - Backstreet Boys
4. Music - Madonna
5. No Strings Attached - *N Sync
Single Of The Year
1. We Will Rock You - Five
2. STOMP - STEPS
3. Shape Of My Heart - Backstreet Boys
4. Music - Madonna
5. Rock DJ - Robbie Williams
Video Of The Year
1. DEEPER SHADE OF BLUE - STEPS
2. We Will Rock You - Five
3. It's Gonna Be Me - *N Sync
4. Take On Me - a1
5. Shape Of My Heart - Backstreet Boys
Rumour Of The Year
1. "FAYE'S LEAVING STEPS"
2. "Britney and Justin are going out"
3. "Boyzone are splitting"
4. "Billie and Ritchie are on/off"
5. "Melanie C is gay"
Best Hair Of The Year
1. Justin *N Sync
2. Scott Five
3. FAYE STEPS
4. Britney Spears
5. Nicky Westlife
Dancers Of The Year
1. Five
2. STEPS
3. Britney
4. Backstreet Boys
5. Madonna
Fanciable Boy Of The Year
1. Robbie Williams
2. Abs
3. J
4. Justin Timberlake
5. H STEPS
Coolest Person Of The Year
1. Robbie Williams
2. H STEPS
3. J Five
4. Madonna
5. Britney Spears
Tour Of The Year
1. STEPS
2. Five
3. Britney Spears
4. a1
5. Robbie Williams
Fanciable Girl Of The Year
1. Britney Spears
2. Kylie Minogue
3. Madonna
4. LISA STEPS
5. Rachel S Club
Record Sleeve Of The Year
1. Music - Madonna
2. Invincible - Five
3. BUZZ - STEPS
4. Sing When You're Winning - Robbie Williams
5. Light Years - Kylie Minogue
STEPS SILENCE THEIR CRITICS!
Speaking to worldpop during their spectacular arena shows Steps revealed that they would love to prove the strength of their singing voices by putting on a low-key gig omitting their usual energetic dance routines.
'I'd love us to do an acoustic set or an unplugged set just to show that we can,' confessed H after a discussion about the recent Madonna and U2 gigs. 'We don't usually get much of a chance to show off our voices,' he continued, 'because our dance routines are so frantic and so hi energy'
Bandmate Faye Tozer backed up his comments explaining that they wouldn't be where they are today without their musical talents. 'It's really important to prove we can sing,' she stated, 'cos that's how we got our jobs. Trouble is, you can't physically sing and dance at the same time.'
However fellow Steps star Lee Latchford-Evans stresses that it's far more important to please the fans rather than the music critics and that the band themselves are confident of their own abilities. 'The most important thing is that people enjoy our shows,' says Lee. 'We don't care if one song is live and one is mimed as long as the audience are having a great time.'
In their video interview with worldpop, Steps also poked fun at the ridiculous rumours concerning them which are currently circulating the music world. 'My most recent rumour,' says Faye, 'is that somebody - hello to whoever it is - has been pretending to be me and saying that I'm having a baby at the end of May!'
The band obviously flatly deny such stories but Faye admits that Steps love a bit of scandal: 'Everybody loves gossip as long as it's not about themselves.'
(World Pop)
14.12.00
WOGAN SLAMS H!
Radio 2 veteran DJ Terry Wogan has launched a verbal attack on STEPS star H. Earlier this year Wogan joked to listners that he would pay any of them to slap fun loving H in the face and he repeated his comment again this week whilst discussing smacking your children.
We think that Terry should be grateful to H after all he has helped Children In Need, the charity which Terry is the patron of, for the past 3 years along with the rest of the group.
WESTLIFE'S MARK WON'T LET IT GO!
Mark from Westlife just can't stop having sly digs at STEPS.
On yesterdays Richard and Judy show, whilst chatting about Westlife's victory at The Record Of The Year show, the band told how record company bosses had pelted them with bread rolls as they performed their winning song "My Love".
Mark then went on to say that he thought the record company bosses where only jealous because they'd signed STEPS and not Westlife and added that it should have been STEPS who were pelted with bread rolls not Westlife!
16.12.00
BOYZONE BOYS DIG AT H!
Boyzone members Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch take the mickey out of STEPS star H in their new xmas single "Girl You Know It's True".
In it they sing "Ali G comes before H dontcha know, a STEP too far how low can ya go?!", but H is taking it all in good fun and has said he doesn't mind as long as it is meant as a joke.
LEE'S NIGHT FEVER!
STEPS singer Lee Latchford Evans is appealing to the stage director's "Saturday Night Fever" to cast him in the title role.
The star is asking that when current actor's contract expires he be cast as Tonmy Monero -- the role John Travolta made famous.
Lee says, "I'd love to play Tony in 'Saturday Night Fever.' The reason for that is because there's a lot of singing and dancing involved. In fact you could say it's a big dance spectacular.
"Also it's the lead role so there's some acting to be done too and I just know it would suit me down to the ground."
(MTV)
16.12.00
FAYE PULLS PRESENTER BACK IN LINE!
STEPS appeared on childrens TV show L&K this morning and took part in what can only be described as a STEPTACULAR morning of viewing!
CLAIRE took part in the shows "Talk To The Hand" segment where a viewer asked if it was true that FAYE really had her nipples pierced, CLAIRE refused to comment on it, but the presenter kept going on about it throughout the show until FAYE very firmly put him in his place telling him that a kids TV show was hardly the place to be asking her such personal questions! We say Go FAYE! There's now way he'll be Stepping out of line with you again!
STEPS ARE LIVE AND KICKING!
STEPS sang a brilliant live version of Slade's No.1 record, MERRY XMAS EVERYONE, on today's L&K.
LISA, who is poorly with the flu, took the lead vocals and proved she should be given more of the bands songs to front! The whole group were on top form and they all looked and sounded as gorgeous as ever!
17.12.00
STEPS ARE A CABARET ACT SAYS WESTLIFE'S BRYAN!
Westlife singer Bryan McFadden resumed his bands petty squabble with STEPS today by branding them a cabaret act on BBC 2's TOTP Plus!
This is just the latest in a string of insults both bands have hurled at each other in the last month.
The start of the feud was when STEPS babe CLAIRE told a magazine that she thought Westlife only released records in weeks when they had no competition.
ATOMIC KITTEN TO SUPPORT STEPS AGAIN!
Top girl group Atomic Kitten will be supporting STEPS on the last three dates of their tour in Manchester.
Kerry, Lil and Tash supported STEPS on their STEPTACULAR tour earlier this year and have remained firm faves of STEPS fans.
Kerry just better make sure she keeps her boyfriend Bryan from boyband Westlife out of the way!
18.12.00
DOTMUSIC'S HALF TIME RESULTS!
It's half time in the www.dotmusic.com Music Poll 2000 so we take a look at where STEPS are in their catergories:
Best Pop Single 2000 half time results
1. Madonna 'Music'
2. Spice Girls 'Holler'
3. All Saints 'Pure Shores'
4. Mel C 'Never Be The Same Again'
5. Robbie 'Rock DJ'
6. Kylie Minogue 'Spinning Around'
7. Britney Spears 'Oops I Did It Again'
8. S Club 'Reach'
9. Westlife 'My Love'
10. Ronan Keating 'Life Is A Rollercoaster'
Best Pop Album 2000 half time results
1. Madonna Music
2. Mel C - Northern Star
3. STEPS - BUZZ
4. Robbie Williams - Sing When You're Winning
5. Spice Girls Forever
6. Britney - Ooops
7. Kylie - Light Years
8. Craig David - Born To Do It
9. All Saints - Saints and Sinners
10 Westlife - Coast to Coast
If you haven't voted yet, then what are you waiting for?!
SITE UPDATES
The site will not be updated until Thurday now due to there being no one here to do it.
27.12.00
LEE'S @ PLAY!
Rumour has it that LEE LATCHFORD-EVANS has started dating Vicky from new girl band Girls@Play. Vicky, the cow girl in the band, has been supporting STEPS on their recent STEPS Into Christmas tour.
No comment has been made by Lee or Vicky on this story, but we'll keep you up to date with news as we get it.
BID FOR FAYE'S FROCK!
You could be the proud owner of the stunning golden corseted dress that the very beautiful Ms. FAYE TOZER appeared in for STEPS latest video, IT'S THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL!
The dress is being auctioned from www.stepsofficial.com to raise money for charity, you can also bid for a hat and a pair of boots that were made for FAYE to wear in the video, but weren't used in the end.
All money raised will go to the India Kisberg Cancer Charity.
XMAS TV STEPTACULAR!
STEPS will be having a whole TV special dedicated to them tomorrow on digital channel UK Play!
The fun starts at 2.00pm and will include Top Of The Pops performances and live concert footage!
This certainly not to be missed!
STEPS II THE STARS!
Talking of STEPTACULAR TV, H and CLAIRE'S award winning TV show returns to our screens on Friday 2nd February 2001 at 4.35pm.
H and CLAIRE begin filming the show next month and it promises to be just as much fun as the first series!
29.12.00
IT'S THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL RELEASED TOO EARLY!
After all the upheaval with the official release date of their new single, IT'S THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL, STEPS finally decided to opt for releasing it on the 2nd January 2001 in the hope of getting the first No.1 of the year 2001.
However this hasn't gone exactly to plan as some branches of WH Smiths and Woolworths are already stocking the single this week!
If people continue to buy the single STEPS could well end up entering this Sunday's chart!
We reckon IT'S THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL is one of STEPS best songs ever and definately deserves to go to No.1 so we won't be buying our copy until the official release date!
31.12.00
FAYE ANNOUNCES ENGAGEMENT!
STEPS blonde beauty FAYE TOZER has just announced on Smash Hits radio that she is set to wed her long term boyfriend Jasper Irn.
Faye and Jasper have been together for many years, long before she became a world famous pop star with her group STEPS.
Jasper is also a musician and has his own band called 'One' in which he plays the drums.
FAYE told how she attended all of his bands gigs until he spotted her and asked her out!
Jasper co wrote IF YOU BELIEVE with FAYE for STEPS third album BUZZ earlier this year.
CLAIRE also told how she wants to be FAYE'S bridesmaid!
We want to congratulate FAYE and JASPER and wish them all the luck in the world.
STEPPING UP THE HOUSING LADDER!
Generous pop stars STEPS have paid off all their parents' mortgages as a big New Year thank-you for helping them climb the ladder of success.
Band members LEE, LISA, CLAIRE, FAYE and H splashed out thousands of pounds each on the marvellous presents for their delighted mums and dads.
The teeny stars have had a wonderfully successful Year 2000 - with their UK tours alone bringing in more than £5 million.
So they decided the time was right to give something back to their mums and dads by paying off their home loans and making them financially secure.
A friend of LEE'S told me: "As soon as they started earning big money from their records and tours, they all decided they wanted to give a big thank-you present to their parents.
"This has been a brilliant year for STEPS and they wanted to do something concrete with their money.
"But it was funny. They never discussed paying for their parents' houses with each other but they all seemed to come up with the same idea at the same time.
"I know LEE is particularly close to his folks and he has helped them buy a bigger house in Ellesmere Port, near to where he grew up."
Earlier this year, LISA paid off the remaining repayments on her parents' house in North Wales, as did H and CLAIRE. FAYE has also helped her parents.
But the hard-working pop band - whose latest single THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL is out tomorrow - are certainly not short of cash even after their generous gifts.
All five have bought their own homes and are taking their first Steps up the property ladder.
(The Sunday People)
CLAIRE'S NEW YEAR WISH!
CLAIRE RICHARDS singer with Pop group STEPS says "My greatest wish for 2001 is to eat whatever I want all the time and still stay slim!"
(The Sunday People)
