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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Victoria Johns

The Cheeky Girls joke they 'don't age' as they return to TV 20 years after Popstars

The Cheeky Girls joked they "don't age" as they popped up on TV today - 20 years after making their debut on ITV's Popstars: The Rivals.

The twins from Romania, also known as Gabriella and Monica Irimia, 39, were just 19 when they shimmied onto the smash-hit show - often sporting cheeky hot pants.

The duo were on Steph’s Packed Lunch on Channel 4 today, cooking up a storm in the kitchen as part of the daily feature, Girl Group Grub.

Wearing neon-pink mini-dresses and sporting long brown hair with a blunt fringe, the girls looked like they hasn't aged a day.

Steph McGovern, also 39, said: “I cannot believe it’s been 20 years since the first audition on Popstars.”

To which Gabriela joked: “I know and we didn’t age a bit!"

When asked whether they could believe it had been so long since the show, Monica said: “It’s one of those moments in your life you remember forever.”

The pair shot to fame when they took part in the ITV talent competition, but were pipped to the top spot by Girls Aloud.

And despite judge Pete Waterman branding the act 'the worst act he'd ever seen’, the Cheeky Girls achieved sweet success as they toured the country with their hit single the Cheeky Song (Touch My Bum).

The iconic song spent four non-consecutive weeks at number two on the UK Singles Charts.

Gabriella – who was once engaged to former Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Öpik – and Monica have taken a step back from music and are now working in the car industry in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

Although the pair don't work together, the girls admitted they were "in competition".

Monica told Steph she is the better saleswoman, saying: “I have more experience. I have been in the motor trade a bit longer than my sister!... She is older but she follows in my footsteps!”

Despite their new career, the pair haven't turned their back on their first love all together.

Celebrating 20 years since they burst onto our screens the sisters are launching their new single Let's Have Fun which will be released on digital streaming and download platforms on April 15.

Discussing the track, which is written by the twins' mum, Gabriella said: “This is to celebrate the 20-year anniversary. It’s called Let’s Have Fun. Of course, The Cheeky Girls are all about fun... It’s to celebrate life and just be happy!”

Steph’s Packed Lunch airs weekdays at 12.30pm on Channel 4 and All 4

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