Eternal stars Vernie and Easther Bennett have revealed they are set to release new music for the first time in 27 years, after welcoming a new member to the band.
The sisters are preparing to return to the spotlight with a stellar comeback show at Scala in London on April 30, and are hoping to put together a new album in the coming months.
Speaking to The Sun, Vernie and Easther shared that they will be taking to the stage with new member Christel Lakhdar, but the reunion is noticeably missing members Kelle Bryan and Louise Redknapp.
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.
Eternal stars Vernie and Easther Bennett have revealed they are set to release new music for the first time in 27 years, after welcoming a new member to the band (pictured with Louise Redknapp and Kelle Bryan)
There had been talks for the band to reunite back in 2023, but Louise and Kelle pulled out over a trans rights row
‘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.
There had been talks for the band to reunite back in 2023, but Louise and Kelle pulled out because Vernie and Easther had 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.
Yet in a telling statement, Louise said on Loose Women: ‘I would have always loved to have done a reunion with the girls. 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.
Speaking to The Sun, Vernie and Easther (pictured with Kelle in 2014) shared that they will be taking to the stage with new member Christel Lakhdar
‘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.’
Louise and Kelle pulled out of the reunion because Vernie and Easther had refused to play any of the LBGTQ+ gigs, 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
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.
Louise addressed her decision to step down from the tour by sharing the Progress Pride Flag on her Instagram Stories, writing: ‘Always and forever’
‘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.
