Toxic feud that tore Eternal apart: Louise Redknapp’s bandmates re-form with a new singer after row over performing at LGBTQ events – as tension that’s simmered since her sexy lad’s mag days boils over

Before the Spice Girls burst on to the scene in 1996, Eternal were Britain’s biggest girl band, and almost 30 years on with no sign of the Wannabe hitmakers reuniting, the field was wide open for a dose of 90s nostalgia that would have delighted fans. 

However, hopes have been dashed after the band announced that they have recruited a new member Christel Lakhdar as they attempt to return to the charts with their first album in 30 years, with only two of the original foursome remaining.  

Devout Christian sisters Vernie and Easther Bennett are preparing to return to the spotlight with a comeback show at Scala in London on April 30, but notably missing from the line-up are original band members Louise Redknapp and Kelle Bryan.  

In September 2023, Louise, 49, and Kelle, 48, pulled out of an Eternal reunion tour because Vernie and Easther had reportedly refused to play any of the LBGTQ+ gigs they had scheduled over claims the community is being ‘hijacked’ by the trans movement. 

Shortly afterwards Louise was accused of trying to get her former bandmates cancelled by ‘misrepresenting’ their views.

The band, put together in 1992 featured sisters Easther and Vernie Bennett, Kelle Bryan and Louise whose surname was Nurding prior to her marriage to Jamie Redknapp. 

While she wasn’t the strongest vocalist, Louise was very much the star of the band and became a lad’s mag favourite in the 90s, posing multiple times in her underwear for the cover of FHM as well as Loaded. 

At the time the Bennett sisters subtly let it be known in magazine interviews that her sexy image didn’t quite sit well with them as devout Christians.  

Lousie left in 1995 to release her solo album Naked, while the band carried on without her – and scored a string of hits, including their first number one. 

They finally split in 2000 but reformed in 2013 as a trio – minus Redknapp, who made a telling statement on Loose Women last year about the row over the reunion tour, indicating the state of her relationship with the Bennett sisters.  

‘I would have always loved to have done a reunion with the girls,’ she said. ‘I have a lot of love for what we have done together and me and Kelle are still the best of friends.’

Vernie seemingly refuted the claims made by Louise’s team as she released a statement about how she has been ‘blessed to connect with so many diverse and wonderful people from all walks of life during my career.’

Vernie released a statement which read: ‘I am “Eternally” grateful for the family, friends, and amazing fans who have and continue to support our incredible journey and artistry.

‘I’ve been blessed to connect with so many diverse and wonderful people from all walks of life during my career. You all have a piece of my heart.

‘Though it is impossible and counterproductive to respond to the overwhelming number of statements and allegations made online recently, I place this moment in God’s hands.

‘I truly appreciate all who continue to express love and support for my family and Eternal.’

Eternal’s original manager Denis Ingoldsby furiously defended Easther and Vernie, who remain his clients, previously insisting they are ‘devastated’ and accusing Louise’s team of misrepresenting details of a private email.

He told Sky News: ‘Louise and her team have thrown them under the bus and everyone is totally appalled at their bullying behaviour by totally misrepresenting the situation to suit their own agenda.

‘The girls sent an email to Louise’s camp saying they loved playing Pride, and they loved the ethos of the event.

‘For her camp to go on the record suggesting they are homophobic is utterly outrageous. This is nothing about gay rights.’

Speaking to The Mirror, Denis also claimed there were no confirmed, or contracted dates, in place for the reunion. Louise’s team have denied this to the publication.

He claimed that the sisters sent an email to Louise’s camp saying they ‘loved’ playing Pride and the ‘ethos of the event.’ 

Denis added that the dispute is ‘nothing about gay rights,’ and that the sisters have played ‘numerous LGBTQ+ gigs.’

He added: ‘Vernie said she had some concerns about the Pride movement being hijacked – and she is not alone – but this has now been weaponized against her, with Louise’s team trying to get her cancelled.’

Louise’s publicist Simon Jones has stated that they stand by their previous comments, telling the publication: ‘Denis Ingoldsby was not involved in the discussions about the Eternal reunion including all four members over the last two years. Easther and Vernie can try and dress this up however they wish. 

‘The fact remains that the duo said they would only do the Eternal reunion if no Pride or LGBTQ+ festivals were included.

‘Louise would obviously not agree to excluding the LGBTQ+ community from their touring plans. We as a team absolutely do not agree with dividing the LGBTQ+ community or excluding trans people.’

He added: ‘Absolutely nothing has been misrepresented.

‘We have simply explained the reason why the Eternal reunion is not going ahead with Louise and Kelle.

‘It is a fact that an email was sent saying that Vernie and Easther would only do the Eternal reunion if no Pride or LGBTQ+ festivals were included in the plan.

‘Louise would obviously not agree to excluding the LGBTQ+ community from the band’s touring plans, and as such notified the duo that she would not be taking part.’

Louise addressed her decision to step down from the tour by sharing the Progress Pride Flag on her Instagram Stories, writing: ‘Always and forever’.

The flag was created in 2018 by nonbinary artist Daniel Quasar, and is largely based on the iconic 1978 rainbow flag. 

The stripes of black and brown represent marginalized LGBTIQ+ people of colour and the triad of blue, pink, and white are from the trans flag.

Eternal, who shot to stardom in the nineties, were planning a huge reunion tour next year, with the highlights including performances at Pride and Mighty Hoopla.

Both festivals celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, however the tour dates apparently did not go down well with band members Easther and Vernie Bennett.

It was revealed that Louise and her team received a message from Vernie and Easther, stating they would not be involved in any Pride shows or LGBTQ+ festivals.

Louise’s publicist said: ‘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.’

Louise, who recently confirmed she is dating new boyfriend Drew Michael, has performed as a solo artist at many Pride events over the years.

Earlier this summer she took to the stage alone at Brighton Pride in August.

The Eternal tour was set to be the first time the original line-up had performed together since Louise quit in 1995 to pursue a solo career.

They soared to stardom in the early nineties with hits such as Stay and I Wanna Be The Only One.

The band stayed together for another five years after Louise quit, before splitting and reuniting in 2014 on ITV’s The Big Reunion without her.

New member Christel has just over 2,400 followers on her Instagram account, with only three videos on her YouTube channel, one of which was a showreel which was uploaded in March 2018.

Speaking to The Mirror, Christel said: ‘I’ve been singing these songs since [I was] a young age and feel like pinching myself as I’m taking it all in.’

On New Year’s Day, Christel welcomed in 2025 by setting out her goals for the year in a post on her Facebook page.

She wrote to her followers: ‘May this year be gentle, soothing, healing [and] full of laughter despite the storms (because there are always many of these)’.

‘For those who are luckiest among us, be grateful. Let us grasp happiness’.  

Speaking to The Sun about the reunion, Vernie said: ‘New music definitely excites us. That’s where we feel at home. We’ve started requesting songs. If we get that hit early on, if we write a hit early on, brilliant.

‘It’s got to be a great song like the ones we made before.’

Easther said: ‘I think the last album was cut short. There’s some massive songs which could be re-recorded and re-released, like How Many Tears. 

‘Sunday Morning is my favourite. I don’t know if it’s a single, but it’s my favourite.’

Despite a change to their lineup, Vernie and Easther hope that Christel’s vocals will perfecty fit on their 1997 chart-topper I Wanna Be The Only One, as well as Stay and  Just A Step From Heaven.