First update for today, I will scan the interview in my local paper later where Lee talks about working with Max Martin – or so they hope – but here’s some other news snippets:

On the CD:UK Saturday Chart, Steps were at number nine with Chain Reaction. Sales up to Wednesday were just under the 10,000 mark. Total sales are around the 190,000 mark now for the single. On the album front, Gold is doing better than I think we all expected, sales figures up to Wednesday have sales at the 71,000 mark so by the end of today sales could reach as high as 120,000+ in a week!

Also more chart news, thanks to the many of you who have told me that in the Irish charts Chain Reaction has dropped down to number 14 BUT the album Gold has hit the #1 Spot! Well done to Steps here also!

Also on CD:UK it was announced today that the group 3SL will be supporting Steps on their forthcoming UK tour. 3SL are Lisa’s Brothers!

From Worldpop:

Steps slam Pop Idol

Steps have branded those auditioning for Pop Idol ‘offensive’ to proper pop stars.

‘It’s offensive to people in the business when rubbish people turn up for auditions and expect to be a star overnight,’ Claire told worldpop at a signing for the band’s greatest hits album Gold, which looks likely to top tomorrow’s album chart. ‘It’s like, ‘Is that what you think a pop star is?’ They think they’ve got talent when they haven’t.’

Steps defended their former producer Pete Waterman, whose harsh criticism of the Pop Idol wannabes has been judged to be unfair by some journalists and music biz insiders. ‘He’s a big Northerner and a straight talker,’ explained Lisa. ‘But then it makes a change to hear that kind of thing because there’s a lot of bulls**t in this industry. He’s never been like that with us though,’ she laughed.

Lee also voiced his concern about the format of shows like Pop Idol. ‘It’s just about people wanting to be famous,’ he said. ‘We’re here cos it was our dream to be performers but these days people are just after the fame thing. They just want to be on camera for five minutes.’

From The News Of The World:

Lee Steps out with model

CHECKOUT the new girlfriend of Steps star Lee Latchford-Evans — Asda model Gabrielle Richens.

The hunk has enjoyed several dates with the TV presenter dubbed The Pleasure Machine since meeting at a showbiz bash two weeks ago.
The lovebirds are also constantly on the phone when they can’t be together. A Steps source told me: “They’ve fallen for each other in a big way.”
Lee is in the middle of a heavy promotional tour for Steps’ greatest hits album Gold—which is out tomorrow and a dead cert for the top spot.
The insider added: “Lee has been working flat out and then going to see her wherever she is. But somedays it’s impossible, so they’re on the phone for hours. It’s bit nauseating sometimes.”
Gabrielle—who earned her racy nickname in a Virgin Atlantic ad—was this week revealed as new face (and body) of clothing range George at Asda.
She has been linked to BBMak star Christian Burns, soccer’s Dwight Yorke and Oz rugby star Solomon Haumono— who was so smitten he moved 13,000 miles to be with Gabrielle in Kent.
She began modelling aged 14 and made the jump into TV while living in Australia, where she presented ratings-winner The Footie Show.
Meanwhile Lee has dated Hollyoaks’ Terri Dwyer, Hear’Say’s Myleene and Girls@Play star Vicky Dowdall.