BBC News has updated its report:

Pop Stars Steps Spilt for Solo Careers

The pop stars Steps have announced they have split and are planning to pursue solo careers. The five-member group, who have sold more than 12 million records, announced the split in a statement. “After five incredible years, we’ve decided it’s time to move on to new challenges,” band members Faye, Claire, Lisa, H and Lee said. “We are looking forward to making our next plans” the group said.

“We have always said that when the time came, we would leave as good friends and go out while we were on top, as although we are very sad, that’s what we have done” – statement by Steps.

The group scored a string of chart hits including a cover version of the Bee Gee’s Tragedy, Diana Ross’s Chain Reaction, the line-dancing favourite 5, 6, 7, 8 and Better Best Forgotten.

The band won the award for Best-Selling British Live Act at Brits 2000.

The latest single Words Are Not Enough was recently released.

In the statement confirming the split, Faye Tozer, Claire Richards, Lisa Scott Lee, H (Ian Watkins) and Lee Latchford-Evans said: “After five incredible years, we have decided it’s time to move on to new challenges.

“We have always said that when the time came, we would leave as good friends and go out while we were on top, as although we are very sad, that’s what we have done.”

The statement added: “We are looking forward to making our next plans but for now we just want to send our heartfelt thanks and love to all the people who have supported us – you truly are the best fans in the world.”

Steps, who sold out 120 UK arenas, were recently presented with a commemorative disc by Sir Tim Rice to celebrate their entry into the top 100 acts of all time.

The five appeared together at the weekend on a celebrity version of the BBC Game Show Friends Like These.

Earlier this month they won best live act award and were also admitted into the Smash Hits Hall of Fame at a ceremony in London.

Two of the band’s members are from Wales – H or Ian Watkins is from Treorchy the Rhondda in south Wales and Lisa Scott-Lee is from Rhyl in north Wales.