Tragedy as Steps go Seperate Ways

Steps, the pop group, have split up, it was announced yesterday.
The five member group, who have sold more than 12 million records, announced the decision to go their separate ways in a statement.
Faye, Claire, Lisa, H and Lee said : "After five incredible years, we have decided its time to move on to new challenges. We have always said that when the time came, we would leave as good friends and go out while we were on top, and although we are very sad, that is what we have done. We are looking forward to making our next plans, but for now we just want to send out hearfelt thanks and love to all the people who have supported us - you truly are the best fans in the world.
The band, who sold out 120 UK arenas, were recently presented with a commemorative disc by Sir Time Rice to celebrate their entry into the top 100 acts of all time.
The group came to fame as a line-dancing, novelty act, but their bubbly image, Abba -esque melodies and the skills of producer Pete Waterman - whose previous finds include Kylie Minogue ,Jason Donovan and Rick Astley - helped to establish them as one of the UK's most successful pop bands.
Their hits included Tragedy, Love's Got a Hold on My Heart, Better Best Forgotten, One for Sorrow, Chain Reaction and Better the Devil You Know.
They also won fame for their easy to copy dance steps.
The Prince of Wales was pictured with them following the dance moves.
The group recently saw Gold, their Greatest Hits album go straight to number one.
Their biggest hit was chart topper Tragedy, which sold 1.2 million copies and went platinum in the UK.
The band also had a run of 12 consecutive singles in the top five - only the Beatles had more success.
Steps picked up three prizes at this month's Smash Hits awards, including best live act and a Hall of Fame trophy.
Last year they won a Brit award for the best selling live act.
Yesterday's announcement brings to an end, weeks of speculation over the groups future.
Earlier in the year, they were forced to issue a statement reassuring fans that they had no plans to call it a day.
Steps had two number one singles, Heartbeat/Tragedy which claimed the top spot in January 1999, and Stomp which went to number one in October last year.
They released four albums - Step One, Steptacular, Buzz and the greatest hits compilation Gold, which so far has sold more than 1.4 million copies.
(Glasgow Herald)


Hear'Say are the favourites to go the same way as Steps in the New Year. Bookmakers William Hill make the Popstars winners 6/4 to split before December 31 next year. Hills took a number of bets on Steps splitting towards the end of this year.

Hear'Say are followed in the "who splits next" betting by Westlife at 5/2, S Club 7 at 6/1, and The Tweenies at 33/1. Hills also offer odds of 20/1 on Robbie Williams retiring from the music industry by the end of next year.

William Hill spokeswoman Serena Momberg said: "Many punters had a gut feeling that this was Steps' last year and placed a flurry of bets towards the end of this year. Hills offered Steps as the most likely band to announce splitting up before December 31, 2001, at 2/1.

"A lot of our punters felt the Steps split had been on the cards for some time, especially with them releasing their Greatest Hits album, Lee hinting at a new career in acting and the others getting married."

Hills have also released prices for next year's Christmas number one, offering Robbie Williams and Westlife as the joint 5/1 favourites; S Club 7 at 7/1; Robbie And Nicole and Blue at 8/1; Bob the Builder at 9/1; Kylie Minogue (solo) at 10/1, and Tweenies at 16/1. Steps' odds have been lengthened from 10/1 to 33/1.
(Ananova)



Pop fans were greated with tragic news on Boxing Day when UK pop phenomenon Steps announced their intention to split.

After squashing rumours of a planned split earlier in the year, the Brit Award winning five piece finally confirmed that they are to call it a day whilst they are all still on good terms.

"After five incredible years, we have all decided that it is time to move on to new challenges," they said. "We have always said that when the time came we would leave as good friends and go out while we're on top and that's what we have done."

"We are all looking forward to announcing our next plans - but for now we just want to send our heartfelt thanks and love to all the people that have supported us."

"You are truly the best fans in the world."

As Steps, Lee Latchford-Evans, Faye Tozier, Lisa Scott-Lee and Claire Richards have sold 12million records and consistently filled stadiums with their populist brand of pop.

It is not known what the various members plan to move on to though all have been involved in television presenting, hosting the Steps To The Stars series and the Smash Hits Poll Winners Party.
(Dot music)



H And Claire Blamed For Split

POP favourites Steps split after Claire Richards and Ian "H" Watkins sensationally quit the band on Christmas Day, it was revealed last night.
The fed-up singers had told fellow stars Lisa Scott-Lee, Faye Tozer and Lee Latchford-Evans they wanted to pursue solo careers.
The band planned to put on hold talks about their future until after Christmas but when Claire and H walked out they broke up on Boxing Day.
A source said last night: "They felt there was no point in prolonging the agony. That's why the end was so sudden."
The teen favourites sold 12million records and gained 13 consecutive top five hits in just five years.
The source added: "The band have been bickering for 18 months, but at the end of the day they are still friends and could see if they carried on fighting, it could have all ended badly."
H, 27, has always wanted to be a West End star while Claire, 24, is widely considered to have the best voice among the girls.
(The Mirror)

Life After STEPS

THE five chart idols from Steps are already lined up for solo careers following the announcement that the band has split.
And I can reveal that Lisa Scott-Lee hinted that her life was about to change dramatically on Thursday last week six days BEFORE the shock news broke. Her slip came at the hairdressers.
Lisa, Lee Latchford Evans, Claire Richards, Faye Tozer and Ian H Watkins had notched up 13 consecutive hits in their five-year career, including No1s Tragedy and Stomp.
Now, after selling 12million records, they feel it is time to move on.

LISA SCOTT-LEE
LISA walked into a hairdressing salon on Thursday LAST WEEK and demanded: Get rid of my Steps look.
The pretty singer, who is best known by fans for her hair streaked with blue was overheard telling the stylist at Antenna in Kensington, West London: I dont want to be Lisa from Steps any more. I just want to be me. Im tired and I want a rest.
Lisa, who started a trend by dyeing her dark hair with the colourful stripes, told the hairdresser to restore her locks back to their more natural wavy style and brown colour.
Our exclusive picture, above, shows the singers stunning new look with her fresh hairstyle and a far more natural and mature image.
Lisa is one of the most popular members of the band and stands a good chance of launching a solo career.
But she plans to concentrate on working behind the scenes in the music industry for a while.
She is helping to launch a band called 3SL Three Scott-Lees made up of her brothers Steve, Andy and Anthony.
Lisa has set them up in a flat in London and they already have a record deal with Epic.

LEE LATCHFORD-EVANS

TELLY bosses were last night scrambling to sign Lee, who is desperate to try his hand at acting.
BBC chiefs have told scriptwriters at Holby City to come up with a part for the hunk and ITV are keen to give him a role in Crossroads he has already had a cameo role on the soap.
A TV insider said: Lee could have what it takes to become an actor. He already has a fan base and he is keen to try acting full-time.
Parts on Holby City and Crossroads would be a great launching pad for a new career.

CLAIRE RICHARDS

BUBBLY Claire is set to go into TV presenting after taking a long holiday.
Her good looks and ease in front of the camera make her a firm favourite to be a childrens TV presenter.
She started out as the unofficial lead singer in the group but later was happy to share the limelight with her band- mates. Claire has also been writing her own songs.
But first she wants to have a long rest and spend loads of time with her boyfriend Mark Webb, a dancer.
The couple share a home in London.

IAN 'H' WATKINS

H is keen to use his singing and dancing skills on stage and has set his heart on appearing in big musicals.
A former Butlins redcoat from Rhondda, South Wales, H was recently offered the lead in a new version of Godspell in Londons West End.
But record bosses ordered him to turn it down because it clashed with his Steps schedule.
He says: I had dreamed of appearing in the West End and was really upset.
Now it looks like H will finally be free to fulfil his dream.

FAYE TOZER

FAYE has been secretly writing songs with her musician fianc Jasper Irn.
Bookies Ladbrokes have already made the blonde babe favourite of the five to have a solo No1.
But first Faye has other plans. She is getting married in August and will be spending the next few months arranging the big day.
Danish-born Jasper is a drummer in the heavy rock outfit, One, and was constantly embarrassed about his girlfriends naff pop image.
Faye says: I love playing the rock chick when Im with him.

Steps stars could have TV jobs in the pipeline

TV careers could beckon for two members of Steps following the band's split.
Lee wants to be an actor and Claire fancies a go at being a children's television presenter.
Holby City and Crossroads scriptwriters are reported to be interested in Lee, according to The Sun.
The other member of Steps, who announced their split on boxing Day, also reported to have irons in the fire.
Lisa plans to spent time launching her brothers' band 3SL - Three Scott-Lees.
The trio - Steve, Andy and Anthony - are already signed to the Epic record label.
H has long had an ambition to move into West End musicals.
And Faye will be busy preparing for her wedding to Jasper Irn in August.
(Ananova)


Pain and bitterness for Steps fans

Steps fans shared their grief as they told of the tears they had shed over the band's split.
Hundreds of youngsters posted messages on the band's website after hearing the quintet were calling it a day after five years.
But a number have also accused the band of a cynical ploy by waiting until people have stocked up on Steps albums and videos as presents before announcing the news.
One message says: "If they split up a few weeks ago they wouldn't have sold as many CDs and merchandise over the Christmas period. By splitting up the day after Christmas they have made sure they have sold enough to make sure they never have to work in Tescos."
And the writer tells fans: "Steps are evil for what they have done to you, get revenge and take all your Steps things back to the shops for a refund, and then you can laugh at them for selling you a lie as they work in Tescos."
Some fans were upset that the band had consistently denied they would split but had secretly been planning to call it a day.
The band announced it was the end as they decided to pursue their own solo projects after selling more than 12 million records.
Many fans told how upset they were by the split.
One left a message on the site which said: "I started crying my eyes out, I got into a right mess because I was a massive fan .... I then got a shooting pain in my side, then a load of chest pains and also a really bad headache."
Another said: "My mum keeps telling me to stop being so stupid because they're just a band, but to me, they weren't JUST band, they were an influence on my life and I loved 'em."
(Ananova)


Steps fans knock band's decision to split

Steps fans have criticised the group's decision to quit.
Some have accused the band of "only being in it for the money."
Other fans have launched a campaign at the official Steps website, trying to get the band to change their minds about splitting.
Steps announced their decision to call an end to their five year career as a group on Boxing Day.
The group members said they wanted to pursue solo careers.
Fans have left messages on the official www.stepsofficial.com website.
One, Heartbroken 4H, wrote: "They have lied to us for months and it really hurts because I thought they were all genuine, down to earth people who had respect for their fans and appreciated us as much as we appreciated them."
Stepsfan70 urges fans to sign the message board in an attempt to get the band to perform a U-turn on their split, but adds: "Maybe my dad was right who has hated you since day one - you only did it for the money."
Isanda said: "Couldn't they just have been more up front about the tour and then the fans could have said goodbye properly?
"The tour could then have been a proper farewell to a band that have given so much pleasure. We do feel cheated."
(Ananova.com)



Faye: My Steps pals betrayed me

TODAY I lift the lid on the bitter backstage bickering and jealousy which led to Steps' shock split.
Distraught Faye Tozer still reeling from the band's break-up just days agohas confided to me: "I'm numb and I feel betrayed."
She's not the only one. Now that it's all over for Steps I can exclusively reveal that:
Lee Latchford Evans has blasted "sulky" Claire Richards and Haka Ian Watkinsfor letting the rest of the band know they were quitting by handing out legal letters of resignation.
Furious Steps' mastermind Pete Waterman says he's been "kicked in the crotch" by the band.
Stunned Lisa Scott-Lee claims Claire and H didn't even bother to say "goodbye".
Faye revealed: "I just can't believe it has happened. One minute we were about to go on stage and the next Claire and H had quit the band."
The break-up happened at the Manchester Evening News Arena on the Friday before Christmas.
Stepswho scored 13 consecutive top five hit singles including Stomp and Tragedy were about to perform the last night of a sell-out 30-date tour, when Claire delivered her legal letters of resignation.
I'm told H appeared to be bemused, while Faye, Lisa and Lee were all clearly stunned.
"To say we were shocked is an understatement," Lee later told pals. "There we were, about to go on stage, then Claire says she's going to leave the band.
"Then within minutes, H tells us he's going too, and gives us his letters. It was all very sudden."
Lisa, who is currently helping to launch a band called 3SL, featuring her three brothers, told a close friend: "After the show Claire and H just left. They didn't say goodbye or anything.
"They just got changed and left. We haven't heard from them since."
Music industry insiders say one major reason for Claire's departure is that she is set to sign a solo deal with Sony Records.
A senior music executive told me: "Claire and Faye will have successful solo careers.
"Claire has already been approached and is set to sign in the new year. Faye is still working on material, so it won't be long before you hear her stuff."
A source who has been close to the band for the past five years told me this week: "It was just a matter of time. Claire was always moaning about wanting more vocals.Another main reason for the split was H's close relationship with the band's manager, Tim Byrne.
"H was always given preferential treatment, which didn't go down well with the others."
News of the Steps split didn't go down well with Pete Waterman either. The brains behind the band's success and a judge on ITV's Pop Idol told me: "It was like a kick in the crotch. These kids were disrespectful and went behind everyone's back, which is outrageous."
Back in March, I predicted the band would break up by the end of the yearbut all the plans of a friendly parting went out of the window as tensions rose.
In their official statement, the band said: "We have always said that when the time came we would leave as good friends."
But, as Lee reveals: "There was a lot of friction towards the end. It was always Claire and H on one side and us three on the other.
"H would always throw a tantrum if he wasn't getting things his way and Claire would just sulk. When things were bad they were really bad."
(The News Of The World)

Faye 'numb and betrayed' by Steps split

Steps' Faye Tozer says she feels "numb and betrayed" by the group's decision to split.
Steps announced on Boxing Day they were splitting up but were still "great friends".
According to the News Of The World, the band decided to split on the Friday before Christmas.
The paper claims Claire Richards handed over a letter of resignation to the rest of the band.
Faye tells the paper: "I just can't believe it has happened. One minute we were about to go on stage and the next Claire and H had quit the band."
(Ananova)



H And Claire Hit Back At Reports

H and Claire have hit back at reports that they walked out on STEPS causing the band to split on Boxing Day. The pair posted these messages on the STEPS Official message board on New Years Eve:

Happy New Year! I'm sad to see that there have been some untrue things said in the press over the last few days and want to reassure you that we did all agree that our parting was mutual and that we want to stay friends. It's also not true that I have done a solo deal! Of course I am upset but I want to look back on the great times I had in Steps and for that I've only got you to thank.
So a big THANK YOU and all my love,
Claire


Hello everyone I just want to send all my love and best wishes for a great 2002 to all of you. It has been a very sad week for all of us but I just wanted you to know that it didn't all happen the way it has been said in some of the papers (again!). Faye has been in touch with me to say she didn't even speak to the NOTW! After the show in Manchester we all had a big hug and I certainly felt that we would remain good friends.
Love always
H