Louise Redknapp has broken her silence after reports that plans for an Eternal reunion tour with the original four-piece line up were shelved following a row over the group’s appearances at LGBTQ+ festivals.
Over the weekend, it was revealed that the 90s girlband were planning to reform for a tour next year, however Redknapp and bandmate Kelle Bryan pulled out after Easther and Vernie Bennett allegedly refused to play any pride festivals, objecting to their allegiance with the trans community.
Making it clear on which side she stood, the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant, 48, took to social media platforms including X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday to share an image of the LGBTQ+ flag, which included the colours representing the transgender community.
“Always and forever,” she wrote underneath it, along with a red love heart emoji.
Loose Women star Bryan, 48, has also spoken out on the subject.
Taking to Instagram on Monday, she wrote: “Opportunities to reunite for an Eternal reunion tour with the girls has been discussed many times over the years.
“As mothers, the right opportunity and timing for all of our schedules have been tricky to arrange.
“The relationship with our fans and the joy of celebrating our success was, and still is, my motivation,” she continued.
“My stance and allegiances have always been that I am an advocate for inclusion and equality for all.
“Thank you for your continued support over three decades. God bless, Kelle x,” the post concluded.
The scrapped tour would have been the first time the band had performed in their original line-up since Redknapp quit to forger a solo career in 1995.
A source told the Mirror on Saturday: “Louise, Kelle, Easther and Vernie had all signed up to perform a huge nationwide tour next year, culminating with a huge show at pop festival Mighty Hoopla, which is loved by the gay community.
“Then in June the girls received an email from Easther and Vernie who refused to play any gay festivals or Pride. They said they can’t support the LGBTQ community now it has an alliance with the trans community, a stance Vernie in particular has been public about on socials. Louise and Kelle were stunned and pulled out immediately - Louise’s fan base is 98 pe rcent gay men. She and Kelle believe everyone is welcome to their shows. It’s a real shame for their fans who have been waiting such a long time for this moment.”
Redknapp’s agent Simon Jones issued a statement, which read: “A message was sent to the team putting together the Eternal reunion stating that if it was to go ahead, neither Vernie nor Easther would perform at Pride shows or LGBTQ+ festivals.
“This was because the duo felt that the gay community was being hijacked by the trans community and they do not support this.
“Louise is a huge supporter and ally of the LGBTQ+ community, and both herself and Kelle told the duo they would not work with anyone who held these views, and as such the reunion as a four would not be going ahead.
“The team behind the proposed Eternal reunion are gay including management, PR and tour promoter, and neither myself nor any of the team would work with artists who held such views about the trans community.”
The Standard has contacted a representative for Vernie and Easther Bennett for comment.
