What happened to Hear'Say? From cheating scandals and a Gavin & Stacey cameo to going living with monks - the wildly different lives of the pop stars as they announce comeback

It's been 25 years since Hear'Say were formed on ITV's Popstars.  

The revolutionary show followed aspiring singers in a documentary-style series as they competed to impress judges 'Nasty' Nigel Lythgoe, Nicki Chapman and Paul Adam and be selected to form a pop group.

The winners of the series – Danny Foster, Myleene Klass, Kym Marsh, Suzanne Shaw and Noel Sullivan – went on to form the chart-topping group Hear'Say but split after just 18 months when their second album flopped. 

Meanwhile, runners-up Michelle Heaton, Tony Lundon, Kevin Simm, Jessica Taylor and Kelli Young formed the group, Liberty X, which ultimately proved to be more successful.

However, it seems Hear'Say could be looking to rival the runners-up success after announcing a comeback. 

The group sent fans wild on Thursday with a mock-up of their group chat in which Noel asked if it was time to get the band together – inviting followers to sign up for an impending announcement. 

So what became of Hear'Say? 

It's been 25 years since Hear'Say were formed on ITV's Popstars and now it seems they're  looking to rival the runners-up Liberty X's success after announcing a comeback

Arguably the most successful member of Hear'Say, Myleene Klass has gone on to become a household name in the UK after pivoting to radio and TV work

While her career has thrived, Myleene has faced many lows in her personal life, including being cheated on by her first husband with whom she shares daughters Ava, 19, and Hero, 15

Myleene Klass 

Arguably the most successful member of Hear'Say, Myleene Klass, 48, has gone on to become a household name in the UK. 

Following Hear'Say's split she released a solo classical album before pivoting to television and radio presenting, hosting series including Popstar to Operastar and The One Show. 

Myleene also earned a new legion of fans when  she came second on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2006, where she famously wore a little white bikini.

She returned in 2023 for the all-stars series, which she won.

Myleene was also a  regular panellist on Loose Women and currently presents shows on both Smooth Radio and Classic FM.

Yet while her career has thrived, Myleene has faced many lows in her personal life. 

After 11 years of dating she wed Graham Quinn in an intimate ceremony in 2011, with just 16 guests in attendance. 

However their romance came to a crashing close six months later with Myleene claiming he walked out on her and their two daughters on her birthday – something he has always denied.

Myleene has said that the divorce, which was granted 18 months after the split in a 100-second hearing at the High Court, left her humiliated with her finances spiralling and an alcohol dependency.

Last year, she claimed that she walked in on Graham cheating on her with a fellow celebrity, saying she witnessed them taking each other's clothes off on the balcony of her home. 

Refusing to name the woman, Myleene hinted that the person in question has built a career off a 'family brand' and clarified that it was before they had got married. 

The exes share daughters Ava, 19, and Hero, 15. 

Myleene is now engaged to PR executive Simon Motson and the couple share son Apollo, seven. 

However, before welcoming her son, Myleene tragically suffered from four miscarriages. She then successfully campaigned to change UK miscarriage care and bereavement leave laws. 

She was awarded an MBE in the 2025 New Year Honours list for her services to women's health, miscarriage awareness, and charity. 

Earlier this year, Myleene ruled out any plans of a Hear'Say reunion, saying that while she had been approached it was 'not something I can commit to right at this moment'. 

However, fans have been given hope she might appear after her name was displayed in the mock up of the group chat. 

Danny Foster 

Before appearing on Popstars, Danny Foster trained as a youth worker and would be singing only for himself while he worked as a cleaner

Danny said his 'life completely changed' after a spiritual holiday to India, where he spent time with monks and stayed in ashrams, giving him a new perspective on life

Before appearing on Popstars, Danny Foster, 47, trained as a youth worker and would be singing only for himself while he worked as a cleaner.

After a stint away from the limelight he made an appearance on the 2013 series of The Voice, as he attempted to try his luck at getting a spot in the competition.

However, it made for cringeworthy viewing as none of the judges turned their chairs for him during his audition.

Danny went on to tour with a soul group created by himself, called the Big Soul Corporation and in 2016 he tied the knot with Victoria Goddard.

He also travelled the world and after developed a love of meditation and yoga after spending time in India.

Danny said his 'life completely changed' on his spiritual holiday, where he spent time with monks and stayed in ashrams, giving him a new perspective on life.

He went on to found, Love Includes You, described as a 'meditation, self love and personal development platform'.

The initiative promotes community events, daily practices and meditation inspired by the wisdom imparted on him from the monastic brotherhood. 

Suzanne Shaw 

Suzanne Shaw thought her dreams had come true when she was picked to join the band but wasn't prepared for it to end so soon, turning to alcohol and sleeping pills following the split

In March she became a grandmother for the first time after her son Corey welcomed a baby boy called Colton with his girlfriend Erin (pictured with ex Darren Day) 

A lover of performing since childhood, Suzanne Shaw, 45, performed in various theatre shows, an  ABBA tribute band, and had bit parts in TV shows before her big break on Popstars. 

She thought her dreams had come true when she was picked to join the band but wasn't prepared for it to end so soon, turning to alcohol and sleeping pills following the 'traumatic' split.

Determined to keep performing, she landed a role in the Summer Holiday musical in London's West End, and later in a UK tour of the show starring alongside Darren Day and Christopher Biggins.

She quickly fell for Darren and the pair went on to welcome son Corey in 2004, but the couple split just three months after the birth. 

The former Hollyoaks star was reported at the time to have left Suzanne, saying: 'I don't do family.'

Speaking about it on Vanessa Feltz's Channel 5 show last year, Suzanne revealed that her ex 'pretty much went out to get a curry and didn’t come back' and said the fact she developed postnatal depression was 'no surprise'.

Suzanne got her mojo back when she won Dancing On Ice in 2008, and the following year tied the knot with DJ Jason King, but they split in 2012. 

She also landed a role on Emmerdale but left the soap after a year. 

Suzanne went on to welcome her second child – son Rafferty – in 2015 with fiancé Sam Greenfield. 

This year brought highs and lows for Suzanne, who in January had a 'messy and unexpected' break up with Sam after 11 years together.

Yet in March she became a grandmother for the first time after her son Corey welcomed a baby boy called Colton with his girlfriend Erin.

Noel Sullivan

Noel Sullivan, 46, was working part-time as a waiter in Cardiff when he landed a spot in Hear'Say. Refusing to return home after the band split, Noel began working in musical theatre

In 2019 he played the lead role in the West End production of School Of Rock, piling on two stone for the part because he didn't want to wear a fat suit on stage

Noel Sullivan, 46, was working part-time as a waiter in Cardiff when he landed a spot in Hear'Say.

Refusing to return home after the band split, Noel began working in musical theatre.

Among his most notable roles was playing Danny Zuko in a production of Grease at the Jersey Opera House, starring alongside Claire Buckfield as Sandy.

In 2019 he played the lead role in the West End production of School Of Rock, piling on two stone for the part because he didn't want to wear a fat suit on stage.  

Comedy fans were also delighted to see Noel pop up with a cameo role in BBC hit Gavin and Stacey, where he played himself.

Cast as a friend of Ruth Jones's Nessa, he played cards with the character's father, Neil, and husband-to-be, Dave Coaches, the night before the wedding.

Although he did not appear in the comedy until its final episode, the script made repeated references to Noel and Nessa's friendship throughout its three series.

Noel's other acting credits include The BBC's Ordinary Lies in 2016 and Years and Years in 2019.

Back in 2017, to mark 50 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the UK, Noel decided to publicly come out on his Instagram account, and announced his relationship with his partner.

Last year, Noel spoke about being forced to repress his sexuality during his time on Popstars.

Noel, who is now happily married to his husband James, had kept his sexuality under wraps at the time and admitted he was ordered to not speak about it.

He explained: 'I was 19, 20 years old at the time, so at an age when I should be exploring who I am.

'To be boxed back up and chucked back in the closet was a damaging experience for me, it took a lot of time to find some resolution to that and not feel guilty or shameful because of it.'

Discussing his time in Hear'Say, Noel said previously:  'It’s taken a long time that I can look back with rose tinted glasses.

'We were the guinea pigs for now what is X Factor and all the other shows. It seemed like quite a whirlwind.'

Kym Marsh 

Kym Marsh's time in Hear'Say was a tumultuous one, with the star quitting the group in a blaze of glory after feeling 'betrayed' by her bandmates

Kym is currently engaged for a sixth time. This time the man in question is Tom Dickinson, who popped the question in March after seven months of dating

Kym Marsh's time in Hear'Say was a tumultuous one, with the star quitting the group in a blaze of glory after feeling 'betrayed' by her bandmates. 

The actress, 50, opened up about the group's in-fighting in her autobiography, explaining things were already tense between them. 

Then at the start of 2002, Hear'Say were invited to play to British troops in Oman but Kym needed to stay in the country for her young children David and Emilie whom she shared with ex Dave Cunliffe.

Kym recalled: ' There was a misunderstanding that I didn't want to go to Oman and a newspaper got wind of the story.

When I asked my PR agent he said that someone in the band had spoken to the newspaper. I felt utterly betrayed. Then I was asked by a newspaper if I had any comment and I was so angry I said, "I quit."

'I'm sorry I quit through a newspaper rather than sitting down with the rest of the band. If we could have had a chat to clear the air it wouldn't have been so bitter afterwards.'

Kym was quickly replaced by Johnny Shentall, but after Hear'Say's next single, Lovin Is Easy, flopped, the band split. 

The following year, Kym released an album titled Standing Tall, which peaked at number nine in the UK and spaw

Her first TV acting role came in 2005, and within a year she’d landed the part that would reshape her life – Michelle Connor in Coronation Street, a character she played for the next 13 years. 

Then there were stints on Waterloo Road and as a Morning Live presenter, and on Strictly Come Dancing. 

Kym's personal life was as full of twists and turns.  

In 2002 she tied the knot with EastEnders star Jack Ryder, selling the pictures of their wedding to OK! magazine for a reported £300,000. 

But seven years later it was all over, with Jack filing for divorce on the grounds of adultery following her apparent fling with second-husband-in-waiting Jamie Lomas. 

Friends initially feared Kym had rushed into the relationship with Jamie and the couple were together less than two months when Kym fell pregnant with their first child.

Tragically their son Archie Jay died moments after being born 18-weeks early on February 11.

In 2011, they welcomed a daughter named Polly.

They wed in September 2012 but were divorced by 2014, with Kym said to be stunned by Jamie's decision to break it off.

In 2013, a year before Jamie ended their marriage, she had a five-month fling with Coronation Street co-star Oliver Mellor, who is now married to model Rhian Sugden.

Oliver later claimed he dumped the actress because he knew she would never leave Jamie.

Kym met her third husband Scott – a soldier with the British Armed Forces – in 2019, before he proposed in 2021 while ringing in her birthday. They married the same year, however their split was announced in May 2023.

She is currently engaged for a sixth time. This time the man in question is Tom Dickinson, who popped the question in March after seven months of dating.  

The unhinged moments on ITV's Popstars that would NEVER be allowed to air now (L-R judges Nicki Chapman, Paul Adam and 'Nasty' Nigel Lythgoe) 

The unhinged Popstars moments that would NEVER be allowed to air now – from fat-shaming Kym Marsh to Suzanne Shaw being quizzed about her 'lovely breasts' 

Kym Marsh is fat-shamed (twice)  

Despite being part of the winning group, Hear'Say, Kym Marsh was belittled and demeaned on camera, and two decades on revealed she still battles with her body image after being humiliated about her weight on the show. 

At the time, mother-of-two Kym was a healthy dress size 12, but says she battled her body image for years afterwards.

Popstars judge Nigel was filmed telling her: 'You need to lose some weight. Christmas is over and the goose has gotten fat.

'I think you've put weight on over Christmas and I think you needed to lose weight before Christmas.'

In another cruel blow, a radio presenter labelled her the 'fat one' of the group after questioning who in the Popstars house owned an 'abs blaster' workout machine. 

Kym reflected on the low blow earlier this year, telling the Daily Mail's Weekend magazine: 'It was so grim, but if you look at me I’m just a normal-sized girl.

‘We were about to go on stage and I’m being made to feel insecure and unattractive. If I’d been in a different place it could have sent me on a much worse downward spiral.’

While it was only in 2016 that Kym was able to regain her body confidence after being told she had 'gotten fat'.

She told the Daily Mail: 'I'd always been quite body confident until that moment but when he said that it really affected me, I couldn't even look at myself in the mirror. 

'I started to look at myself differently and question whether I was overweight. I started becoming far too critical of myself. My body had changed an awful lot after having children and I simply didn't have time to exercise.'

Contestant breaks her nose doing bizarre exercise 

The wannabe pop stars were tasked with falling onto their peer's arms from a height in order to cement the 'trust' between them. Unfortunately it all went wrong when one overenthusiastic contestant launched herself face first into the pit, resulting in her breaking her nose

In order to have the contestants bond before forming a group, the producers decided to have them try out a trust exercise. 

The wannabe pop stars were tasked with falling onto their peers' arms from a height in order to cement the 'trust' between them. 

Unfortunately it all went wrong when one overenthusiastic contestant launched herself face first into the pit, resulting in her breaking her nose. 

Talented singer is eliminated because of her 'looks' 

Aspiring singer Claire blew the judges away with her cover of S Club 7's Reach, but despite her powerhouse vocals, the judges were more concerned with her image

Aspiring singer Claire blew the judges away with her cover of S Club 7's Reach, but despite her powerhouse vocals, the judges were more concerned with her image. 

Debating whether to put her though, Nicki reasoned with the other judges: 'She isn't run of the mill, she doesn't look like a lot of the popstars sitting here today. I wonder how much that might have affected her?' 

Claire was quick to agree that she didn't fit the typical mold of Noughties groups, noting they were 'skinny girls, that's just my perception of girl bands'.

She continued: 'I'm not really like that... I hope they can overcome that.' 

Ultimately, Claire was sent packing, with her parting words being the knowing: 'I'm not the kind of image they're looking for.

'I knew that looking around the room, everyone was so different from me.' 

Darius is ridiculed for THAT Britney Spears routine 

Before becoming a household name with his stint on Pop Idol, Darius Danesh made his first bid for fame on Popstars but was mocked for his performance of Britney Spears

Before becoming a household name with his stint on Pop Idol, Darius Danesh made his first bid for fame on Popstars.

The late singer entertained the nation with his quirky rendition of Britney Spears' Baby One More Time but was mocked by the judges, with Paul musing: 'He has talent, but I'm not sure if he's the right person to fit into a five piece band or even a 100 piece band.'

Nigel added: 'To do something like he has just done there which is a complete show off that doesn't work is crazy.'

Darius then confronted the judges and asked if he would have made it through if he didn't perform Britney and after that was confirmed he vowed to have released a number one single by the time he reached 35. 

Ultimately, Darius had the last laugh and the following year appeared on the first Pop Idol, finishing in third place behind Will Young and Gareth Gates.

Judge Simon Cowell was so blown away by his talent that he still offered him a record deal but he chose to turn the music mogul down and signed with producer Steve Lillywhite.

Darius's debut single, Colourblind, was released in July 2002 and went straight to number one, marking the start of a run of top 10 releases.

He went on to launch a career in musical theatre, starring in hits such as Chicago.  

Tragically, Darius passed away in August 2022 after inhaling anesthetic drug ethyl chloride in a tragic incident that was ruled an accident. 

Contestant is eliminated for being 'too old' 

During one of the rehearsals, judge Nigel was seen barging into the room and demanding that everyone declare their age, resulting in one 30-year-old singer being given the axe 

During one of the rehearsals, judge Nigel was seen barging into the room and demanding that everyone declare their age after having to ban one of the contestants who was under the age of 18. 

He then addressed the group and reiterated it was 'most important' that everyone was between the ages of 18 and 24. 

One contestant then sheepishly came forward to admit her real age and when probed by Nigel to tell him 'when do you turn 18?' there was an audible gasp when she declared she was in fact 30 years old. 

Choking back tears, she continued: 'I understand if I have to go, I took a risk,' to which Nigel promptly replied: 'I'm sorry you do.' 

The group then watched on as the contestant fled the room in tears.

Nigel later confessed: 'It's heartbreaking to send any kid away because of their talent but to send them away because of their age feels even worse.'

The contestants' shoddy living conditions 

Hear'Say were moved into a new shared house  that had no running water, with footage shown of an exasperated plumber trying to find the root of the issue

After the final five contestants were selected and Hear'Say were formed the band were moved into a new shared house to live for the duration of the recording and promotion of their first album. 

Unfortunately, the band quickly ran into difficulty, with the voiceover announcing: 'The house is still dry and the band have called a plumber,' as the scene cut to footage of an exasperated plumber trying to find the root of the issue. 

Baby-faced Kym then chimed: 'The thing is this, we're supposed to be going for a photoshoot tomorrow and chances are we're not going to be able to have a shower, wash our hair, even wash our faces.' 

Cutting to her crossing her legs and waddling down the corridor, Kym wailed: 'I need to go to the toilet!' 

The band's outrageous violation of privacy 

While Iiving in their shared home, Hear'Say had their bins raided by radio station Kiss, who went on to publish the contents on their website and mock the group for it 

While living in their shared home, Hear'Say had their bins raided by radio station Kiss, who went on to publish the contents on their website. 

The camera then cut to the radio hosts laughing: 'Looking in their bin - alchohol tins, pizza, Abdotrim box - who's working out? Beer.' 

A shocked Suzanne was left openmouthed, saying: 'Oh my God - they really are sad!' 

The group were then quizzed about the Abdotrim box when they appeared on the radio show, with the presenter telling Kym: 'I knew it was yours because you're the fat one.'  

Suzanne Shaw is quizzed about her 'lovely breasts'

During another radio appearance, a DJ read out a letter from a listener saying: 'can you ask [Suzanne] if her breasts are real because they are lovely!'

During another radio appearance, a DJ read out a letter from a listener saying: 'Can you ask [Suzanne] if her breasts are real because they are lovely!' 

A shocked Suzanne laughed before cupping her chest and declaring 'they're real.' 

As she was quizzed further about 'what size' they are, Suzanne declared 'no! I won't tell you. I'll let you guess.'  

Kym Marsh is exposed for having 'secret children'  

In one particularly dramatic scene, Nigel summoned a visibly nervous Kym to his office to confront her for not revealing she was mother of two children 

In one particularly dramatic scene, Nigel summoned a visibly nervous Kym to his office as dramatic music played in the background. 

Speaking to camera, Nigel shared: 'I got a phone call from a solicitor that's informed me of some news regarding Kym that has absolutely devastated me and I want to get of the bottom of it.'

It then emerged that Nigel had been informed Kym had not revealed she had two children: David and Emilie, now 29 and 27 respectively. 

Scolding Kym, Nigel said: 'All I can say is how disappointed I am.

'Number one, I get to hear from a solicitor when all of the times we've said to you "is there anything else we need to know about because the press are going to find all the skeletons in your closet"

'You thought because you had two children it would affect you getting into the band.' 

Kym was left sobbing as she admitted: 'I didn't want it to ruin my chances.'