Eternal's Kelle Bryan speaks out over LGBTQ+ reunion row

Former pop star Kelle Bryan has addressed the reported breakdown of the Eternal reunion, voicing her support for "inclusion and equality for all".

It has been reported that Bryan and Louise Redknapp pulled out of a reunion of the 90s girlband after bandmates Easther and Vernie Bennett refused to perform at Pride shows or LGBTQ+ festivals.

Bryan has now said in a statement on social media platform X, former Twitter: "Opportunities to reunite for an Eternal reunion tour with the girls has been discussed many times over the years.

"As mothers, the right opportunity and timing for all of our schedules have been tricky to arrange.

"The relationship with our fans and the joy of celebrating our success was, and still is, my motivation.

"My stance and allegiances have always been that I am an advocate for inclusion and equality for all.

"Thank you for your continued support over three decades. God bless, Kelle x."

Redknapp had earlier responded to the reports by posting a Progress Pride Flag on her Instagram Stories, captioned "Always and Forever", the title of Eternal's debut album.

Redknapp’s agent Simon Jones said in a statement: “A message was sent to the team putting together the Eternal reunion stating that if it was to go ahead, neither Vernie nor Easther would perform at Pride shows or LGBTQ+ festivals.

“This was because the duo felt that the gay community was being hijacked by the trans community and they do not support this.

“Louise is a huge supporter and ally of the LGBTQ+ community, and both herself and Kelle told the duo they would not work with anyone who held these views, and as such the reunion as a four would not be going ahead.

“The team behind the proposed Eternal reunion are gay including management, PR and tour promoter, and neither myself nor any of the team would work with artists who held such views about the trans community.”

Bryan, 48, and Redknapp, 48, both rose to fame as members of girlband Eternal, who formed in 1993 and had hits with I Wanna Be The Only One, Just A Step From Heaven and Oh baby I...

Redknapp quit in 1995 and has gone on to have a successful solo pop career with hits including Naked and has a big LGBTQ+ following.

Bryan was dismissed from Eternal by sisters Vernie and Easther in 1998 in what was later called "a breakdown in professional relations".

Bryan was diagnosed with autoimmune disease Lupus and so abandoned plans for a solo pop career. She pursued an acting career, starring in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks between 2018 and 2022 and is is a regular member of the Loose Women panel on ITV.

The Bennett sisters continued to perform as Eternal until 2000. In 2013 Bryan joined them in ITV reality show The Big Reunion, but Redknapp chose not to take part.

Vernie Bennett — who is believed to have passed the bar exam and become a qualified lawyer — was engaged to Boyzone's Ronan Keating, splitting in 1997 and Easther was married to his Boyzone bandmate Shane Lynch for five years.

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