Hannah Spearritt shot to global fame as part of seven piece pop group S Club 7 enjoying a string of hits all over the world.

But when the band split Hannah turned to acting landing one of the core role as Abby in ITV’s sci-fi series Primeval, the third series begins in the new year. I caught up with her to discuss the new series and what lies ahead for her character as well as talking to her about the Pringles Select competition.

Series 3 of Primeval will be back in the new year what can we expect for Abby in the new season?

Well we have got new characters, new creatures again it gets more brave plus there are more episodes this time as well. Abby’s journey, in terms of something that is different from the previous series, a blast from the past, and I won’t say who, but she has somebody who comes back from her past that shocks people especially Connor shaking up their relationship which is exciting. (more…)

Strictly between you and me, there’s something about Rachel Stevens that has never quite added up. Normally, if I let slip to my colleagues that I am about to interview a woman who has consistently featured as one of the sexiest women on the planet in every poll that measures such matters, there’s usually a sense of awe and envy.

But with Stevens the opposite is the case. Bizarrely, many people would happily avoid her company. After meeting her, one journalist described the experience as ‘the longest hour of my life – it was like attempting to interview a wardrobe’.

And it wasn’t just the press. DJ Chris Moyles once commented, ‘I know she’s meant to be really fit but she’s really boring.’ Scissor Sisters vocalist Ana Matronic went even further, remarking, ‘Rachel Stevens has all the personality of a slice of toast.’

Part of the problem has always been that she often struggled to live up to her billing as S Club 7’s resident sexpot. She sold 16 million records with the band between 1999 and 2003, before going on to record two solo albums. After which she more or less disappeared from view. Now, after three years in the showbiz wilderness, she’s back as a contestant in Strictly Come Dancing.

Despite her reputation, she couldn’t be more exuberant at today’s shoot, taking to the role of an atomic pin-up starlet like she was born to it. In fact, over a morning together, Stevens turns out to be the very opposite of what I’d been led to expect as she talks openly and passionately about her lonely childhood, her parents’ divorce, her estrangement from her father, her stint in therapy and her love-hate relationship with fame. (more…)

Rachel Stevens arrives at the 2008 National Television Awards at The Royal Albert Hall in London on October 29, 2008:

Rachel Stevens arrives at the Pride of Britain Awards at Television Centre on September 30, 2008 in London:

Pop star Rachel Stevens has signed up for Strictly Come Dancing, hoping it will be a quickstep back to success.

The former S Club 7 chart-topper, 30, has tried acting in the US and released solo records since the group split in 2002.

But in recent years Rachel – whose hits include Bring it all Back and Don’t Stop Movin’ – has seen the work dry up.

A source who revealed she had signed for the BBC show added: “Rachel has met her dance partner. She is excited and is going to get stuck into training.

“She wants to tone up and get back the figure that won her millions of male fans in S Club. The show has done wonders for people like Kelly Brook, so Rachel is hoping it will get her back in the limelight.”

Rachel Stevens attends the launch party of the BlackBerry Bold, at No 1 Covent Garden Piazza in London on July 24, 2008: (UPDATE: 5 + 3 more pictures added)

Rachel Stevens and Alex Bourne out shopping, this time at Brent Cross:

June 13: Rach and Alex out shopping… again!

Rachel Stevens and boyfriend Alex Bourne with some friends outside a North London pub on June 8, 2008:

Rachel Stevens photographed outside her home in London on May 28, 2008: