A HUGE 90s girl group are rehearsing for new shows while preparing for a sensational comeback.
The band’s history dates back to 1992, although they have been together sporadically since then.
R&B group Eternal originally included Louise Redknapp (then Nurding), Kéllé Bryan and the Bennett sisters, Easther and Vernie.
Easther and Vernie are now bringing Eternal back, joined by new singer Christel Lakhdar.
Meanwhile, Louise will not be returning to the band, having left back in 1995.
Likewise, Kéllé Bryan, who was an on and off member between 1992 to 2014, will also not be part of the new-look group.
Eternal have posted footage of their comeback rehearsals as they gear up for a string of shows, with the first at Rochester Castle this Saturday.
A source told The Mirror that the group reportedly “can’t wait” to take to the stage and that there is “huge excitement” for the shows.
That being said, the much-hyped return hasn’t gone fully without a hitch.
Although Vernie was seen in the rehearsals footage wearing a moon-boot after hurting her foot, she is expected to be fit for this weekend.
The revamped band follows a dispute over transgender issues, which saw Louise accused of violating the trust of the founding members by leaking and misrepresenting a private email’s content.
However, a source close to the band said the argument was “very much all in the past”, while expressing how grateful the group is for the support.
Vernie has not commented on the controversy, but said the new line-up will take the group to the “next level”.
She added that meeting Christel “just felt right”, while praising her new bandmate’s talent and personality.
“I think our music followers will love her just as much as we do.”
Easther shared her excitement to be “dipping her toes” into festivals, while iterating the group’s next phase was about “enjoying the moment”.
As for new arrival Christel, she is “pinching herself” upon joining the sisters in Eternal, having been singing their songs from a young age.
The three-piece has already lined up several dates – with the girls picking up lucrative fees for each one.
Original manager Denis Ingoldsby is looking after the band, which enjoyed big success after bursting on to the scene in 1993.
Their debut album Always & Forever, released in the November of that year, peaked at No2 on the UK chart.
In 1997, the girls reached No1 on the singles chart alongside BeBe Winans with I Wanna Be the Only One in 1997 and had 15 UK Top 20 hits between 1993 and 1999, including Stay and Just a Step from Heaven.
Last year, Louise’s team came under fire for claiming a full reunion broke down as a result of the Bennett sisters refusing to play LGBTQ+ venues because the trans lobby had “hijacked” the gay community.
At the time, Denis said: “Louise and her team have thrown them under the bus.
“Everyone is appalled at their behaviour by misrepresenting the situation.”
