Steps have festive season all wrapped up at Wolverhampton Civic Hall
It's been ten years since Steps' infamous split. And yet, remarkably, they are enjoying their busiest ever year.
Their spring stadium tour was a huge success, they enjoyed a series of gigs at festivals and racecourses during the summer and they are currently wrapping up a glorious 2012 with concerts at venues like Wolverhampton's Civic Hall, which they headline on Wednesday (December 5).
The pop band who sung their way to success in the 90s soon and became a household name as their dance routines and catchy lyrics captured the hearts of fans all around the world are back.
The announcement of their 2012 UK tour was welcomed by an ever-growing fan-base, while their album, the Ultimate Collection, reached number one on the charts on the first day of release.
Faye said the band had got themselves into really good shape for their tour: "Quite a few of us carried on dancing and Lee has an online fitness magazine.
"So it hasn't just come out of the blue and we've worked really hard during rehearsal period to get fitness ready. It's been blood sweat and tears.
"The future is bright."
Claire added: "I think we all had songs that we remembered a bit more than others.
"But it's funny because when you start, you find yourself going into the old moves. It took a while to get used to the new routines.
"If this is all that happens with Steps, it means that we've changed the ending. But hopefully it's not the end."
Lee said fans could expect an all-singing, all-dancing show.
"Fans can expect a lot of what they are used to. Steps was always about fun.
"It was always a big stage show, with lots of glamorous things happening, lots of pyrotechnics, big costumes and obviously great songs. Everybody likes to have a great time.
"We're just getting that back, ten years on. It's our best show ever. It's great live."
Lisa added that the band had been delighted by the support of fans.
"I think we're all blown away by the support," she said.
"A year ago we weren't really thinking about doing the tour or the TV show.
"In that time we've done both and had a number one album and we're just really enjoying it."
Steps formed in 1997 and sold an astonishing 20 million records, achieving 14 consecutive Top 5 singles.
They won countless awards and had sell out tour after sell out tour all over the globe. They were the second most successful British pop group ever, behind the Beatles.
The group, comprising Faye Tozer, Ian "H" Watkins, Lisa Scott-Lee, Lee Latchford Evans and Claire Richards, formed following an audition through The Stage Newspaper in 1997.
By Andy Richardson
* Steps will play Wolverhampton's Civic Hall on Wednesday (December 5) and tickets are available at www.wolvescivic.co.uk
