Louise Redknapp breaks silence on Eternal reunion amid gay row with bandmates

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Louise Redknapp breaks silence on Eternal reunion row with message of love for LGBTQ community
Louise Redknapp breaks silence on Eternal reunion row with message of love for LGBTQ community

Louise Redknapp has broken online her silence following the Mirror revealing she has pulled out of an Eternal reunion - after a row over the group's appearances at LGBTQ+ festivals such as Pride.

The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant, who recently went public with her new man, took to Twitter this evening to send a message of love and support to the LGBTQ+ community. It marks the mum-of-two's first post on the platform now known as X since September 20, which celebrated the 30th anniversary of Eternal's hit song Stay.

Louise was flooded with support from fans earlier tonight after sharing an image featuring the LGBTQ+ flag, which included the colours representing the transgender community, with the caption: "Always & Forever." The star simply shared the graphic alongside a love heart emoji to her 151, 500 followers.

"Icon x," journalist Owen Jones told Louise as he replied to the tweet, with Sara O'Connell adding: "Thanks for being an amazing ally!" One happy fan penned: "A shining light for us and an even bigger one for me being a queer and a Janet diehard. one of my faves. God bless you for being a TRUE ally."

Louise Redknapp breaks silence on Eternal reunion amid gay row with bandmates eiqrdidzqiueinvLouise Redknapp celebrated 30 years since Eternal's debut single online earlier this week
Louise Redknapp breaks silence on Eternal reunion amid gay row with bandmatesThe star showed her love for the LGBTQ+ community on Twitter this evening

Louise's tweet follows the Mirror revealing on Saturday how Eternal had planned to reunite and tour next year - but trouble hit when bandmates Easther and Vernie Bennett refused to play the festivals, objecting to their allegiance with the trans community. Their objections led to Louise, alongside bandmate Kelle Bryan, abandoning the plans in June and leaving the sisters to tour as a duo.

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The scrapped tour would have been the first time the band had performed in their original line-up since Louise quit for solo stardom in 1995. A source told the Mirror on Saturday: "Louise, Kelle, Easther and Vernie had all signed up to perform a huge nationwide tour next year, culminating with a huge show at pop festival Mighty Hoopla, which is loved by the gay community.

"Then in June the girls received an email from Easther and Vernie who refused to play any gay festivals or Pride. They said they can’t support the LGBTQ community now it has an alliance with the trans community, a stance Vernie in particular has been public about on socials. Louise and Kelle were stunned and pulled out immediately - Louise's fan base is 98 percent gay men. She and Kelle believe everyone is welcome to their shows. It’s a real shame for their fans who have been waiting such a long time for this moment."

Earlier this week, Louise celebrated the 30th anniversary of Eternal's debut single Stay. Posting to Instagram, the singer shared a collection of snaps of herself posing with her three former bandmates over the years. She captioned the post: Where it all began… 30 years ago today Stay was released!

Louise Redknapp breaks silence on Eternal reunion amid gay row with bandmatesLouise shot to fame in Eternal

"I remember it like if was yesterday the first radio play sat round my mums kitchen table missing the que to hit record when it played, to going to America to shoot the video and so many more incredible memories. Stay is such a timeless song Easther absolutely KILLING that opening note as she does and I’m so proud this was where it all started for us! I’m so lucky I got to record this song myself for my Greatest Hits this year and girls I hope I did you proud.

Louise added: "Happy 30th Anniversary to my Eternal girls Kelle, Easther and Vernie and most importantly THANK YOU to each and every one of you that has been there with us from day 1 buying every record, coming to every show and being so supportive over the last 30 years. Love Lou Xxx."

As a four-piece group, Eternal became international icons of the 1990s with hits like Stay and I Wanna Be The Only One, selling a whopping 10 millions records worldwide. Their debut album, Always and Forever became the first album by a female group to achieve over a million sales in the UK.

Louise quit the band before their second album in 1995 to pursue a solo career with the band’s label. Eternal broke up in 2000 but made a brief comeback in 2014 for ITV ’s The big Reunion - without Louise.

Zoe Delaney

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