Louise Redknapp pulls out of Eternal reunion after her bandmates REFUSE to play LGBTQ+ festivals and Pride amid claims they are being ‘hijacked’ by the trans community
Louise Redknapp has pulled out of an Eternal reunion after two members of the band refused to play LGBTQ+ festivals and Pride on the tour.
Eternal, who rose to fame in the 1990s, are planning a major reunion tour next year, highlighted by performances at Pride and Mighty Hoopla.
Both festivals celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, but the tour dates apparently didn’t go down well with band members Easther and Vernie Bennett.
The sisters would not want to play the performances because they believe that the gay community is being ‘hijacked’ by the trans community.
It is revealed that Louise and her team received a message from Vernie and Easther, stating that they would not be involved in any Pride shows or LGBTQ+ festivals.
I am gone! Louise Redknapp has pulled out of an Eternal reunion after two members of the band refused to play LGBTQ+ festivals and Pride on tour (Lousie will perform at Brighton Pride in August)
Retreat: Eternal, who rose to fame in the 1990s, is planning a major reunion tour next year, highlighted by performances at Pride and Mighty Hoopla
Louise’s manager, Simon Jones, said: ‘A message was sent to the team putting together the Eternal reunion stating that if the reunion went ahead, neither Vernie nor Easther would be performing 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 that.
“Louise is a strong supporter and ally of the LGBTQ+ community and both she and Kelle told the duo that they would not work with anyone who held these views, and so the foursome reunion would not happen.
“The team behind the proposed Eternal reunion is gay, including management, PR and tour promoter, and neither myself nor anyone on the team would work with artists who held such views about the trans community.”
Easther and Vernie have been contacted by MailOnline for comment.
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 performed alone on stage at Brighton Pride in August.
The tour would mark the first time the original line-up had performed together since Louise quit in 1995 to pursue a solo career.
They became famous in the early 1990s with hits such as Stay and I Wanna Be The Only One.
Louise’s other former bandmate and Loose Women star Kelle Bryan has also reportedly pulled out of the reunion tour for the same reasons.
Claims: Both festivals celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, but the tour dates apparently did not go down well with band members Easther and Vernie Bennett (photo 1994)
The band stayed together for another five years after Louise quit, before splitting in 2014 and reuniting on ITV’s The Big Reunion without her.
Earlier this week, Louise paid tribute to her time with the band, taking to Instagram to honor their 30th anniversary.
She wrote: ‘Where it all started… 30 years ago today, Stay was released. I remember it like yesterday…Happy 30th birthday to my forever girls.
“I remember like it was yesterday the first radio play sitting at my mother’s kitchen table and missing the line to hit the record when it was played, going to America to shoot the video and so many more incredible memories.
‘Stay is such a timeless song that Easther absolutely KILLS the opening note, just like she does, and I’m so proud that this was where it all started for us! I’m so lucky that I got to record this song myself for my Greatest Hits this year and girls, I hope I made you proud.
‘Happy 30th anniversary to my forever girls Kelle, Easther and Vernie and especially THANK YOU to all of you who have been with us from day 1, bought every record, come to every show and been so supportive over the last 30 years. years.’
