Award-winning pop group Steps, who have sold more than 12 million records, are to split, saying they want “new challenges”.

The band, 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.

Group members Faye, Claire, Lisa, H and Lee 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.”