- January 30 2004 -
TASH TO TAKE A BREAK: Official Atomic Kitten statement (from the Official Atomic Kitten Site)
Tash has decided that after nearly 5 years at the top, she needs to take a break and spend some quality time with her little boy Josh.
After selling more than 7 million records worldwide and having traveled the globe several times over, the girls have had very few breaks. As a result Natasha has decided to take a well-earned rest, at the end of the Feels So Good tour in Hull on 11th March 2004, so that she can concentrate on being a full time mum for a while.
"I've not really had a moment to be with Josh consistently and
properly since he was born, having released 2 albums and 6 singles since 2002 and promoting them around the world" says Tash. "I knew that the time would come when I'd need to take time out. Luckily the band is in great shape following a brilliant autumn and I have wonderful mates in Jen and Liz, at my management company and at Innocent Records who all support me completely."
The forthcoming tour is the biggest girl-band tour of its kind since the mighty Spice-world, taking in Manchester MEN, Glasgow SECC, London's Wembley Arena and Birmingham NEC amongst 18 arenas, and the girls are going to make sure you and they enjoy each and every show.
To properly mark the end of this era, the kittens will be releasing a Greatest Hits collection in April which will feature 14 hit singles - plus a few surprises. The album will be preceded by the single "Someone Like Me" taken from their latest smash hit album, 'Ladies Night'.
Whilst Tash is having time out, Jenny and Liz will be looking at various options including solo singles, collaborations and loads of TV and media offers - so there is going to be plenty to look forward to!
Tash, Liz and Jenny would like to thank the press and media for the support and encouragement they have received, and of course most importantly they want to thank their fans.
We're dedicating every show to all the amazing fans who have made us so happy and supported us through the years", says Liz, "They are the people we never want to let down because they have spurred us on every step of the way. Every letter, every poster held aloft at our gigs, every message of support throughout all our lows and highs meant so much. We want to make them proud of us.
There is no doubt that lots of people will be saying that the girls have split up for good, but the truth is that's not the plan. Take it from us 'This is not the end'.
Atomic Kitten..To be continued.....
- January 30 2004 -
They think Kitts all over ... it is miaow (from the Sun Newspaper Online)
BRITAIN’S biggest girl band Atomic Kitten are splitting. Natasha Hamilton, Liz McClarnon and Jenny Frost, who had three No1 hits, will break up after a tour next month.
NATASHA last night blamed the stress of trying to combine motherhood with pop stardom for the break-up.
Yesterday the singer announced she was leaving the trio after their next tour and bandmates JENNY FROST and LIZ McCLARNON decided to call it a day rather than look for a replacement.
Natasha, who gave birth to son Josh in August 2002, said she had hardly had any time with him because of the demands of being in Britain’s top girl band.
She added last night: “I knew the time would come when I would have to do this.
“I’ve not really had a moment to be with Josh consistently and properly since he was born, having released two albums and six singles since 2002 and promoted them around the world.”
Natasha had to take time out last year while she was suffering from post-natal depression.
In November she told The Sun: “My doctor ordered me to take time off work. I wondered why I was feeling so down. I was crying a lot and everything got on top of me.
“I was surprised when the doctor told me what it was, but glad to know I wasn’t losing the plot. At least now I know I have something that I can get over. Since giving birth I’ve taken off all the weight I put on when I was pregnant — about 2½st.
“Because I lost it so quickly, people thought I had an eating disorder but I really don’t.”
On February 18, Natasha, Jenny and Liz — the biggest girl band in Britain since the Spice Girls — will embark on a stadium tour culminating in their final emotional date in Hull on March 11.
It is likely to be the last time their devoted fans will ever see them on stage together, although they have refused to rule out a reunion at some time in the future.
Liz said last night: “We are dedicating every show to all the amazing fans who have made us so happy and supported us through the years.
“They are the people we never want to let down because they have spurred us on every step of the way.
“Every letter, every poster held aloft at our gigs, every message of support throughout all our lows and highs meant so much. We want to make them proud of us.”
Atomic Kitten’s chart-topper Whole Again became one of the biggest-selling singles of 2001 and spent four weeks at No1.
Other huge hits included a cover of the Blondie hit The Tide Is High, plus Eternal Flame and Be With You.
The band’s original line-up changed in 2001 when KERRY McFADDEN, then Katona, left the band to have BRYAN McFADDEN’s baby.
She is now enjoying a stint in the Australian jungle in I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here. Jenny and Liz are now weighing up various options for their immediate future careers.
The girls will be releasing a Greatest Hits collection at the end of March, featuring 14 singles plus a few surprises.
The album will be preceded by the single Someone Like Me, taken from their latest album, Ladies Night.
A spokesman said last night: “The girls will do the tour and go out on a high.
“They will look at the situation in a year and see how they feel. They remain the best of friends.”