Claire Richards has blasted rumours she is struggling to keep up with her Steps bandmates in rehearsals because of her size.
The group, featuring Claire, Lee Latchford-Evans, Lisa Scott-Lee, Faye Tozer, and Ian 'H' Watkins, split in 2001, but recently came back together to film a TV series about their pop heyday.
They are heading back out on tour after 11 years, but yo-yo dieter Claire has reportedly been holding up rehearsals because she is struggling to dance for hours on end.
However, the star, who has struggled with her weight for years, insists the speculation is nonsense.
"I don't know where that has come from. Maybe someone has thought, 'Oh, she's bigger than the others so she must be struggling'. It's not an issue. It is just one of those things. People have just got to be nasty sometimes.
Claire was a size 8 back in the band's early days, when she was famous for flashing her flat stomach, but she is adamant that fans will accept her at any size - because the band wouldn't work without her.
She adds: "It's not like I am starting out now. Steps wouldn't be the same if I wasn't in it, so they can't say to me now, 'You have to lose weight otherwise you can't be in the group.'
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Leave her alone. Her voice is amazing, she is a beautiful woman with talent. I admire her for getting back in the band when it would have been so easy for her to lack confidence and hide away in the shadows. Go girl, you prove the sad people wrong who are judging you purely on weight - it's not who you are.
equinelearning: Leave her alone. Her voice is amazing, she is a
Very well said. Poor Claire is being criticized for what she looks like on the outside instead of the inside. I live Claire to bits for who she is and for what she can do, she is a wonderful person inside and I would do anything to give her a nice hug.
djpaulgee1: Very well said. Poor Claire is being criticized for what
As usual, critics want to make it about size, not about health. The universal goal should be health at every size. Many large sized people are healthy and active with no so called "obesity related" health issues whilst many thin people have diabetes and high cholesterol. Claire Richards is correct in her comment that two hour dance moves would be difficult for anyone who is not used to working out. She is a target because she is not a size 10. Welcome to the real world of regular sized women who arent stick thin like super models. Superstar singer Adele is also in the news this week and being criticized for her size. It will never end.
candyekane: As usual, critics want to make it about size, not
Tragedy..........when the weights gone up and you can't keep up it's tragedy..........when the stones are high and you don't know why it's hard to bear, fit dancers behind you you're going nowhere. Don't worry Claire, you're still gorgeous and what's wrong with being cuddly anyway? The only thing is you aren't really that good a singer. Never mind eh? I'm sure it'll still be a sell out tour.
flicksville: Tragedy..........when the weights gone up and you can't keep up
why is the world obsessed with what size a celeb is? plus claire says she is happy with her weight and at the end of the day ppl should take her as she is or not at all shes a singer not a stick thin ballerina.
bex1w: why is the world obsessed with what size a celeb
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Posted: 16/03/2012 12:15 Updated: 16/03/2012 12:15