H and Claire say the reason Steps split up was because of a rift between them and the rest of the band. They say Faye, Lee and Lisa would go out together leaving the other two behind. H and Claire have now announced they are to record as a duo. Claire told The Sun: “To those in the business it was always Claire and H together with Lisa, Faye and Lee elsewhere. They would go out to a premiere or something and we wouldn’t be invited.”

Here’s the whole story from The Sun:

Claire and H break Steps’ silence

FORMER Steps members CLAIRE RICHARDS and H have revealed it was a “them and us” row that split the band.
Since the Boxing Day announcement that Steps were no more, Claire, H, FAYE TOZER, LEE LATCHFORD EVANS and LISA SCOTT LEE have refused to discuss those final days.

But now Claire and H, real name Ian Watkins, have spoken out — and announced they will pursue a career together as a duo.

Claire said: “To those in the business it was always Claire and H together with Lisa, Faye and Lee elsewhere. They would go out to a premiere or something and we wouldn’t be invited.

“It got to the point when they knew we wouldn’t go anyway. You could see what was developing. I started asking, ‘Is it worth it? Is it worth putting yourself through this any more?’ ”

H and Claire also told me about the fateful band meeting Steps held just before Christmas.

H said: “Claire and I had already discussed calling it a day but needed someone else to initiate the decision.

“Other band members said they were unhappy with the way things were going and we all realised we’d gone as far as we could with Steps.

“I told the others me and Claire were carrying on together and they wished us the best of luck.”

Claire added: “It was a very emotional moment and there were a lot of tears.”

Claire and H are negotiating with three record labels — including Steps’ Jive. The pair, whose debut single will be out in April, are also in talks about hosting their own TV show.

Whatever your feelings towards this story, just be braced for more to come. As they all launch solo careers they are all going to have a pop at each other in order to promote themselves. Also why are they talking to Jive?! Just personally if I was ANY member of the group I wouldn’t go back to them… unless your name is NSYNC at this moment Jive doesn’t seem to want to know …

Lisa was on This Morning at the UK premiere of Monsters Inc. (I’ve got to see that film LOL – call me a baby if you want!) and she said that she had no hard feelings towards the others and was planning a solo career.

Here’s more on the above stories from Dotmusic:

Former Steps members Claire Richards and H are to unleash themselves on the pop world as a duo. Richards and H (real name Ian Watkins) have announced plans to go it alone a month after the Boxing Day split of Steps. The duo, who will record under the name ‘H and Claire’, are apparently within days of signing a major deal. Claire, 24, said: “We both loved being in Steps and this is a way that we can continue the Steps spirit and the Steps sound but taking it to another level.” H and Claire are also in negotiations with TV companies about a ‘Sonny and Cher’ style comedy and music show. Claire has also confirmed that the Steps split was due to division in the Steps campaign. Speaking to the Sun, Claire said that two camps developed. Claire said: “To those in the business it was always Claire and H together with Lisa, Faye and Lee elsewhere. They would go out to a premiere or something and we wouldn’t be invited.”