‘THE REACTION TO OUR RETURN? HYSTERIA!'

Steps reflect on the week that saw them come back with a bang

- Sarah Morton

Three years after their last reunion, Steps are back once more – sending fans into a frenzy with news of their new album and forthcoming tour.

Their single What The Future Holds premiered last week on Radio 2 and, suffice to say, the reaction was full-on. #Steps was trending on Twitter for hours as the public got its first taste of the fivesome since they finished up promo for their last album Tears On The Dancefloor in 2018. And obviously we were fully on board that bandwagon.

So when offered the chance to chat with singers Claire Richards, 43, and Faye Tozer, 44, we jumped at it. We’re pleased to report that, despite one bitter fall-out and several reunions later, 23 years in the pop industry hasn’t dulled their spirits one bit. The ladies are on fine form as we catch up over Zoom from a posh hotel where they’re holed up with fellow bandmates Lisa Scott-Lee, Ian ‘H’ Watkins and Lee Latchford-Evans. Sounding happy and relaxed, they reveal all about collaborating with Sia and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, getting back into the high energy dance routines, and how the pandemic derailed their big comeback…

So girls, it’s been three years since you last reformed – how did this come about?

Claire: Even during our last reunion we were discussing what the next chapter would be. We were then played What The Future Holds and it clicked instantly. We knew the minute we heard the song that we were back on the rollercoaster! We recorded it well over a year ago. In fact, we chose the songs for the album a long time ago. We finished the Tears On The Dancefloor campaign in 2018, but we knew we’d be back.