Hear'Say, the first band to be formed on a UK talent show, split dramatically after just two years. Now, 24 years later, they have hinted that a reunion is in the works for their 25th anniversary.
Formation and early success
Long before The X Factor, the show Popstars launched the band in 2000. Danny Foster, Suzanne Shaw, Noel Sullivan, Kym Marsh, and Myleene Klass each auditioned for the show, hoping to land a place in the group. Ten finalists were narrowed down to five, with the unsuccessful contestants forming Liberty X.
Their first single, Pure and Simple, instantly topped the charts but was surrounded by controversy. The track was a cover of a song originally released by Girl Thing, which Simon Cowell later confirmed, despite Hear'Say's version bringing Girl Thing to an end.
Cracks and split
Despite their success, cracks started to show. In 2001, they embarked on a tour, initially planning just five dates, all of which sold out. The group announced additional dates but struggled to sell tickets. While on tour, they started working on their second album, but it was at this point that relationships broke down.
Kym was plagued by reports of an alleged feud with Myleene and of her leaving the group, which a spokesperson denied. Kym quit not long after and was replaced by Johnny Shentell, the husband of Lisa Scott-Lee. Later that year, the group disbanded and admitted to being a "fad" that had passed. Their popularity had dwindled, while Liberty X had shot to fame.
Where are they now?
Kym Marsh went on to pursue a solo career, with her debut album Standing Tall peaking at Number 9 and featuring two Top 10 singles. She then became an actress, most famously playing Michelle Connor on Coronation Street between 2006 and 2019. Over the last six years, she has been a regular presenter on BBC One's Morning Live and has landed a role in the revival of Waterloo Road.
Myleene Klass launched her solo career in 2003 with her debut album Moving On, which peaked at number 32. She has since released four lullaby albums and two compilation albums, both topping the UK Classical Compilations Charts. Away from music, she boosted her career on I'm A Celebrity in 2006 and now appears as a panellist on Loose Women. Last year, she was made an MBE for her services to women's health, especially raising awareness of miscarriage.
Noel Sullivan has enjoyed a career on stage, starring alongside Jason Donovan in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, playing the lead in the Queen musical We Will Rock You, and more recently playing Prince Charles in The Diana Mixtape. On TV, he has starred in Ordinary Lies and made a cameo appearance on Gavin & Stacey in 2010.
Suzanne Shaw achieved more success on screens after the disbandment. She first appeared on the West End in the remake of Summer Holiday, alongside Darren Day and Christopher Biggins. She has also had roles in The Court and as Eve Birch on Emmerdale, making her on-screen debut on April 2, 2010, but her character left the screen in August 2011.
Danny Foster returned to media several years after the band split, competing in the third series of Channel 4's The Games, alongside Craig Charles and Chesney Hawkes. He replaced actor Jonathan Morris, who withdrew due to injury. A year later, he appeared on Trust Me – I'm A Beauty Therapist. In 2013, he auditioned for The Voice, performing a soul version of Wannabe, but wasn't picked by any judges. In 2019, he returned to music with his own band, Danny Foster & The Big Soul Corporation, performing soul and Motown.
Johnny Shentell swapped life in the UK for the United Arab Emirates with his wife, Lisa Scott-Lee. After Hear'Say's split, he carved out a career in the West End and appeared on ITV2's CelebAir with Lisa, but they were sacked after abandoning their duties as cabin crew to party in Ibiza. Nowadays, he is the creative director and owner of Dubai Performing Arts, alongside Lisa.
