Huge noughties pop group reunites with original line-up for the first time in eight years as they tease new music
THEY teased it could happen and now it finally has – Liberty X have reunited with all five original members.
For the first time in eight years, the pop group were in the same place at the same time – and it looks like there’ll be many more appearances to come.
Sharing a smiley picture inside London’s Gilgamesh restaurant, Michelle Heaton wrote on Instagram: “Liberty X… Reunited….. after 8 years..
“Thank you @gilgamesh.ldn for hosting us this evening… 1st of many…”
She sat alongside Jessica Taylor, Kelli Young, Kevin Simm and Tony Lundon.
It delighted the group’s fans, with one writing: “This post made me beam love you guys.”
Another said: “This is amazing!!!!”
A third said: “OMG!!! The best!! We love you and miss you all.”
Liberty X‘s members shot to fame in 2001 when they took part in ITV‘s Popstars.
Though they failed to make it into the winning group Hear’Say, Michelle, Jessica, Kelli, Kevin and Tony had the last laugh by going on to have a far superior music career.
Hear’Say consisted of Myleene Klass, Kym Marsh, Suzanne Shaw, Danny Foster and Noel Sullivan. Despite the success of debut single Pure and Simple, the group fell apart after just a year.
Between 2001 and 2005 Liberty X had eight top 10 singles – including Just A Little and Thinking It Over – before disbanding in 2007 to focus on solo projects.
LIBERTY X's GREATEST HITS
During their impressive run, Liberty X managed to land eight top 10 singles, 22 weeks in the top 10, and one UK number one across thres albums. How many do you remember?
Oct 2001 – Thinking It Over (peak: number five)
May 2002 – Just A Little (peak: number one)
Sept 2002 – Got To Have Your Love (peak: number two)
Dec 2002 – Holding On For You (peak: number five)
Mar 2003 – Being Nobody (peak: number three)
Nov 2003 – Jumpin’ (peak: number six)
Oct 2005 – Song 4 Lovers (peak: number five)
Nov 2005 – A Night To Remember (peak: number six)
They reunited for two years in 2012 as part of ITV2 series The Big Reunion which featured fellow pop favourites B*Witched, Honeyz, 911, Five and Atomic Kitten.
The initial comeback proved a big success and paved the way for further tours, however, by the end of 2013 the journey had run its course.
Michelle said at the time: “We talked about it, and we thought we’ve got so many children between us and quite a few things individually going on that we didn’t want the pressure to be successful again.
“We just wanted to have fun. I know some of the other bands are planning to release new material but Liberty X, we are not planning to do that.
“We are just enjoying it for what it is. We’re going to enjoy the gigs, all the performing and have fun and not take it too seriously – and know at the end, we go back to being mums and dads to our children. That’s how it’s different.”
SEPARATE PATHS
In a surprise return to the limelight, Kevin won The Voice in 2016 and subsequently went on to replace Marti Pellow as the frontman of 90’s legends Wet Wet Wet.
Since 2017 Liberty X has only consisted of Michelle, Jessica and Kelli with the girls regularly touring the country.
In recent months the group teased a reunion, hinting at “exciting things” for 2024.
Michelle captioned a snap of her, Jessica and Kelli: “I feel blessed at times like these… living my best life at 44 on stage singing songs we released over 20 years ago to a sell out crowd.
“We’ve got some very exciting things coming our way this year…”
While the girls were full of praise for Kevin after watching him on stage with the Wets.
Michelle wrote: “What a night … I am soooooo proud of you [Kevin] you were sensational tonight with [Wet Wet Wet] if it’s at all possible you sang the best I’ve ever heard you.”
“What an awesome evening in London with my best friends [Kevin, Jessica and Kelli],” she added. “We missed you T [Tony].”
“Guys if you haven’t seen our Kev yet you’re missing out..”
Kevin responded: “Loved seeing you all”
Fans were obsessed with the content and pleaded for a proper reunion.
One said in the comments section: “ Liberty X vibes forever”
Another wrote: “Seriously when can we get a reunion of all 5 of u! That would be so cool.”
