Hear'Say and Liberty X Reunite for Popstars Arena Tour

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A quarter of a century after a television talent show split ten singers into a winning band and a group of runners-up, both acts are heading out on the road together. Hear'Say and Liberty X have announced Popstars: The Originals , a joint arena tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland in spring 2027. According to Official Charts, it will be the first time the two groups have toured together. The tour marks the 25th anniversary of their formation on ITV's Popstars in 2001. Who is taking part Hear'Say will return as a four-piece. Danny Foster, Kym Marsh, Suzanne Shaw and Noel Sullivan are all confirmed, while Myleene Klass is sitting the tour out. Liberty X, by contrast, are restoring their full original five-piece line-up: Michelle Heaton, Jessica Taylor, Kelli Young, Tony Lundon and Kevin Simm. That full reunion is notable. Bournemouth International Centre says Liberty X have been regulars on the festival and Pride circuits with a three-piece line-up, so all five members on one stage is rarer than it might sound. "Coming back together after 25 years is something that's incredibly special to all of us," Hear'Say said in a statement. "To be sharing the stage with Liberty X makes this celebration even more special." Liberty X added: "It's hard to believe it's been 25 years since Popstars changed all of our lives. We are thrilled to be heading out on tour with Hear'Say to celebrate where it all began." The dates Official Charts listed 13 dates when the tour was announced on October 8. The promoter, Kilimanjaro Live, now lists two more at the end of the run, in Aberdeen and Sheffield. Popstars: The Originals 2027 dates April 17 – Dublin, 3Arena April 18 – Belfast, SSE Arena April 20 – Bournemouth, BIC April 21 – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena April 25 – Brighton Centre April 28 – Cardiff, Utilita Arena May 1 – Birmingham, BP Pulse Live Arena May 2 – Leeds, First Direct Bank Arena May 4 – Newcastle, Utilita Arena May 5 – Glasgow, Hydro May 7 – London, The O2 May 8 – Manchester, AO Arena May 9 – Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena May 11 – Aberdeen, P&J Live May 12 – Sheffield, Utilita Arena Bournemouth International Centre says the tour will play to a combined audience of more than 150,000 fans. Two groups, one origin story Popstars put Danny, Kym, Suzanne, Noel and Myleene together as Hear'Say in 2001. The five finalists who missed out decided their story was not over and formed a group of their own, first called Liberty and later Liberty X. Hear'Say's debut single "Pure and Simple" went straight to Number 1 and stayed there for three weeks, Official Charts says. The follow-up, "The Way to Your Love", also topped the singles chart, and the debut album Popstars spent two weeks at Number 1. BIC says that album went triple-platinum, with more than 900,000 domestic sales. The band also appeared on the cover of NME under the headline "The band that killed pop?" Liberty X arguably had the longer run. Their debut "Thinking It Over" reached Number 5 in 2001, and "Just a Little" climbed to Number 1 the following year. In all, they have scored eight UK Top 10 singles, including "Got to Have Your Love", "Being Nobody" with Richard X, "Song 4 Lovers" and "A Night to Remember". Their debut album, Thinking It Over , reached Number 3 and, according to BIC, went double-platinum. The group reunited for ITV's The Big Reunion in 2013. BIC credits the two acts with helping to usher in a new era of reality-TV music stars, paving the way for acts including One Direction, Little Mix, Girls Aloud and JLS. A busy 2027 for nostalgia tours The announcement adds to a crowded 2027 touring calendar for British pop acts with deep catalogues. Erasure have also lined up arena dates around a new album, as we reported when they announced Radio Radio and their 2027 arena tour . What's next Fans who registered for the tour could access a pre-sale from 9am on Wednesday, October 14. General sale opens at 9am on Friday, October 16. Kilimanjaro Live says Irish fans should sign up for pre-sale through the separate links for the Dublin and Belfast shows. The run opens in Dublin on April 17, 2027. Sources: Official Charts | Kilimanjaro Live | Bournemouth International Centre