Natasha Hamilton has sparked excitement among pop music fans by suggesting that an Atomic Kitten reunion could be on the horizon, confessing she would 'never say never' to the idea.
A Look Back at Atomic Kitten's Formative Years
The iconic girlband first burst onto the music scene in 1998, originally consisting of Natasha Hamilton, Liz McClarnon, and Kerry Katona. The trio of feisty young women from the North West defied expectations, achieving dizzying heights of superstardom.
The lineup saw a significant change in 2001 when Kerry Katona departed after falling pregnant with her first child. She was replaced by Jenny Frost, who also eventually left the group. Despite these changes, the band's success continued to soar.
Nostalgia Fuels Reunion Talks
The band members reunited this summer to film the new BBC documentary, Girlbands Forever. Reflecting on the experience, Natasha Hamilton, 43, admitted they all loved spending time together again, confirming that a full-scale reunion isn't off the cards.
Speaking to The Daily Mail ahead of the Christmas Light Switch On in Liscard, Natasha shared her fond, albeit complex, memories of her time in the hit band. 'I think as the years go by and you get further and further away from it, your mind's recollection is like, "Wow, it is almost like, did it really happen?"' she mused. 'But I know it very much did, and I've got wonderful memories, you know we went through some hardship but I feel like the good times definitely outweighed it.'
On the documentary, Natasha detailed several personal struggles, including returning to work just six weeks after having her first child and battling post-natal depression while performing.
Hopes for the Future
Addressing the possibility of getting the band back together, she was cautiously optimistic. 'I mean, never say never with a reunion, because nostalgia always hits people at different times, and I've spent a lot of time with Jenny this summer,' she revealed.
'Obviously Liz has just had a baby so right now is not the right time, but I always say never say never. We're so close, the three of us, and I'm hopeful that maybe in the future at some point we would be able to come together and do that.'
Atomic Kitten were propelled to global stardom in their late teens and early twenties when their smash-hit single, Whole Again, famously beat U2 to claim the Number 1 spot on the UK charts.
Reminiscing about their chaotic and incredible journey, Natasha said: 'If I ever see Jenny and Liz we just laugh, we're like, "oh my God, do you remember this? Do you remember that?"' She described the group as 'a bit wild' but insisted they enjoyed every opportunity to the maximum, exploring nightlife and culture wherever their tours took them.
'We were just young girls living the dream and all these years later, it is crazy to think what we actually did achieve for three local Northwest Liverpool girls,' she reflected with pride. 'We went above and beyond what anyone ever thought that we would achieve.'
Community Spirit in Liscard
Natasha's community roots remain strong, as demonstrated by her headline appearance at the Christmas Lights Switch On in Liscard, Wirral, on Thursday. The event was particularly special as Asda transformed the town, which was once criticised for having the 'worst Christmas tree in Britain', with a spectacular 30ft festive centrepiece.
Speaking about the campaign, Natasha expressed her deep connection to the area: 'I’m so proud to be part of this incredible moment for Liscard, especially since my first performance when I was 15 was in this town.'
'I grew up knowing how important community spirit is, especially at Christmas, and seeing everyone come together tonight has been magical. This tree isn’t just about lights and decorations – it’s about reminding people that even when things feel tough, joy and togetherness can still shine.'
She added her personal affiliation: 'I've got a big affiliation to Liscard. It's been down the road from where I've lived for many years, and over the water from where I grew up in Liverpool. I've done many shows here, spanning all the way back from when I was a tween.'
The impressive transformation was supported by the Liscard community and Asda Community Champions. Furthermore, the Asda Foundation is supporting over 550 community groups this festive season with its Better Together grants, aiming to reduce social isolation and support those in need.
The Mayor of Wirral, Councillor Brian Kenny, also commented: 'It’s wonderful to see so many families and neighbours coming together. Events like this really capture the heart of our community, especially at Christmas.'
