Claire Richards
Richards performing at Newcastle in 2012
Born
Claire Anne Richards

(1977-08-17) 17 August 1977
Hillingdon, London, England
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active1995–present
Spouses
Mark Webb
​
​
(m. 2003; div. 2005)​
    Reece Hill
    ​
    ​
    (m. 2008)​
    Children2
    Musical career
    Genres
    Instrument(s)Vocals
    LabelsAVEX, Jive, WEA, Sony, Steps, Warner
    Member of
    Websiteclairerichards.co.uk

    Claire Richards (born 17 August 1977) is an English singer who is best known for being in the pop group Steps. As a solo artist, Richards has released two studio albums: her debut, My Wildest Dreams, was released in 2019 and Euphoria, a covers album, was released in 2023.

    Richards was a contestant on the second series of Popstar to Operastar before being voted off in the semi-finals. She possesses the vocal range of a soprano.[1] On 3 January 2013, Richards entered Celebrity Big Brother and came in fourth place. From April to June 2014, she was a regular panellist on Loose Women. Richards took part in the fourth series of The Masked Singer UK and was unmasked as “Knitting”.

    Early life

    Richards began her career in the pop trio TSD.[2] They had little success and were dropped by their record label Avex after the release of their second single "Baby I Love You". She went on to work as a receptionist for seven months, winning the temporary worker of the month award for May 1997.[2]

    Career

    1997–2001: Early career with Steps

    Richards auditioned for the lineup that would become Steps. She was offered a place in the group on the condition that she lost weight. Steps were formed by Steve Crosby & Barry Upton (writers of "5, 6, 7, 8") alongside Manager Tim Byrne after auditioning hopefuls who answered an ad in The Stage newspaper. She joined the group in 1997 along with Ian "H" Watkins, Lisa Scott-Lee, Faye Tozer and Lee Latchford-Evans, and the band enjoyed considerable popularity across the world over the next five years.

    2002–2011: H & Claire and presenting

    After Richards and her fellow group mate Ian "H" Watkins resigned during the last leg of their final tour, the two continued singing as the duo H & Claire. The pair experienced success with their debut single "DJ", which reached No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart, and their next two singles, which both charted in the top 10. While the duo had initial success, their album Another You, Another Me, which was released in 2002, did not chart high. Richards also co hosted alongside Brian Dowling and Tess Daly on SMTV Live in 2002. She took a break from singing to plan her wedding to Steps dancer Mark Webb. H & Claire disbanded in 2003. After leaving her music career, Richards wanted to take a break from music and concentrate on other projects; she was set to release a debut solo album but due to falling pregnant Richards decided to not pursue music any further. In 2013, she announced on Twitter that there was a possibility of her producing a solo album to the success of Steps.

    It was announced in May 2011 that Richards would be taking part in the second series of Popstar to Operastar making it her first major high-profile appearance in nearly ten years. The series started on ITV on 5 June. She appeared on OK! TV on 6 June to promote the show. Despite a much-praised performance of the Queen of the Night aria from Mozart's Magic Flute in the semi-final, she lost out on a place in the final to Cheryl Baker.[3]

    Richards was a contestant on eleventh series of Celebrity Big Brother and came fourth place as the show ended on 25 January 2013.[4][5] On 1 and 7 April 2014, Richards was a guest panellist on the ITV lunchtime chat show Loose Women. Following this, she became a permanent panellist, making her debut on 10 April 2014. She subsequently made a further seven appearances, with her last being on 23 June 2014. On 8 August 2017, Richards made a cameo appearance as herself on the BBC Scotland soap opera River City.

    Richards released her first solo material, a cover of the Steps track "One for Sorrow" on 30 July 2015 via her official SoundCloud.[6] The acoustic version of the track was recorded for an event honouring Steps' producer Pete Waterman. The track was arranged and produced by Steve Anderson with whom Richards was now working on a full album.[7] In September 2015, after much fan demand, Richards released a stripped back version of "Deeper Shade of Blue".[8] The track, which was recorded in one take[9] was released on Amazon, iTunes and streaming services on 4 September.B

    2011–2017: Reformation of Steps

    Steps reformed in May 2011 for a four-part documentary series on Sky Living titled Steps: Reunion. The series started airing on 28 September, following an announcement of a second greatest hits album, The Ultimate Collection, that was released on 10 October 2011. The album entered the charts at number one, becoming the band's third album to achieve this feat. The second series of Steps: Reunion titled "Steps: On the Road Again" aired on Sky Living in April 2012; the series followed the band as they embarked on their sellout 22-date UK tour. On 24 September 2012, the group confirmed they would release their fourth studio album Light Up The World on 12 November 2012, alongside a six-date Christmas tour, starting from 30 November and ending on 5 December.[10] The group reformed for a second time on 1 January 2017 in celebration of their 20th anniversary, and later announced their fifth studio album Tears on the Dancefloor, which was released in April 2017 and entered the charts at number 2.[11] On 5 March 2017, the group confirmed the release of the new album, alongside its lead single, "Scared of the Dark", and a 22-date tour, Party on the Dancefloor.[12] A deluxe edition of the album, titled Tears on the Dancefloor: Crying at the Disco, was released on 27 October.[13]

    In November 2017, Tozer announced that the reunion was no longer just a 20th-anniversary celebration and that the group intends to continue after their 2018 Summer of Steps tour.[14] In April 2018, Richards announced that following their summer tour, they would begin work on their sixth studio album.[15] In February 2019, Richards announced the group would begin recording their next album during the summer months.[16]

    On 7 September 2020, via their social media accounts, Steps announced the release date of their album entitled What the Future Holds. The album was released on 27 November of the same year, with pre-orders available from 8 September.[17] The next day, they confirmed a new 14-date UK tour (with special guest Sophie Ellis-Bextor) starting in November 2021.[18] The first single from the album was the Greg Kurstin-and-Sia-penned "What the Future Holds", released on 9 September 2020. It was followed by "Something in Your Eyes" on 27 October 2020. "To the Beat of My Heart" was released as the album's third single in January 2021.[19]

    The first single of What the Future Holds Pt. 2 was confirmed as a reworked version of "Heartbreak in This City" featuring Michelle Visage.[20][21]

    2018–present: My Wildest Dreams and Euphoria

    It was announced on 3 August 2018 that Richards was to release her debut solo album, My Wildest Dreams on 2 November 2018. It was preceded by the lead single, "On My Own", which was released on 6 August. It was announced on 8 October 2018, via her official Twitter, that the album had been delayed until 1 February 2019. The album reached #9 in the UK Albums Chart and was promoted with a small theatre tour across venues in the UK.

    In February 2023, Richards participated as "Knitting" on the fourth series of The Masked Singer.[22][23][24] In June 2023, H & Claire came together for a special appearance at Pride Cymru 2023, delighting fans with their one-off performance.

    On 28 June 2023, Richards announced that her second solo studio album, Euphoria, would be released in August 2023.[25] On the same day, Richards released the album's lead single "I Surrender", a cover of the 2002 Celine Dion album track.[26][27] On 26 July 2023, Richards released a cover of the 1978 ABBA single "Summer Night City", with Erasure lead-singer Andy Bell, as the second single from Euphoria.[28]

    Personal life

    Richards has a younger sister called Gemma, who appears in the 'Tragedy' video as her bridesmaid. Richards married her first husband Mark Webb, a backing dancer with Steps, in 2003. The couple divorced in 2005 when Richards rekindled her romance with Reece Hill. Richards' first child, Charlie, was born on 8 May 2007. In January 2008, Richards and Hill announced their engagement and were married 1 November 2008. Richards announced in the 30 June 2009 edition of Woman magazine that she was expecting her second child with her husband, and gave birth to a girl named Daisy on 29 December 2009.[2]

    On 13 September 2008, Richards performed "Tragedy" on the show Everybody Dance Now without the other members of Steps. Richards appeared on Celebrity MasterChef on 25 June 2009 as part of the programme's "comeback" week. Claire Richards: My Big Fat Wedding, a programme following Claire on her journey to lose weight before her wedding, was shown on BBC Three in May 2009. The programme featured her wedding and a reunion of all Steps members and drew an audience of over 763,000.[29] Richards released a fitness DVD Five Step Fat Attack on 26 December 2008.

    Discography

    Studio albums

    List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions
    Title Album details Peak chart positions
    UK
    [30]    		 BEL
    (FL)
    [31]    		 BEL
    (WA)
    [31]    		 SCO
    [30]
    My Wildest Dreams 9——7
    Euphoria
    • Released: 25 August 2023[32][33]
    • Label: Demon Music Group
    • Formats: CD, cassette, vinyl, digital download
    		 228173

    Promotional singles

    List of promotional singles
    Title Year Album
    "One for Sorrow" (acoustic version) 2015 Non-album singles
    "Deeper Shade of Blue" (piano version)[34]
    "On My Own" 2018 My Wildest Dreams
    "End Before We Start"[35]
    "My Heart Is Heading Home (This Christmas)"
    "Shame On You"[36] 2019
    "7 Billion"[37]
    "I Surrender"[33] 2023 Euphoria
    "Summer Night City" (with Andy Bell)[38]
    "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" (with Delta Goodrem)

    Music videos

    Title Year Director(s)
    "On My Own" 2018
    "End Before We Start"
    "I Surrender" 2023 Joseph Sinclair
    "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" John Taylor

    References

    1. ↑ "Richards: Opera's right Step for me". Yahoo News. 10 October 2001. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
    2. 1 2 3 "Claire Richards Biography". 6 July 2013. Archived from the original on 28 June 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
    3. ↑ "Popstar to Operastar". 4 July 2011. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
    4. ↑ "House of horrors: Claire Richards faces Steps torture in Celebrity Big Brother". Evening Standard. 8 January 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
    5. ↑ Laing, Greg (25 January 2013). "Claire Richards comes fourth in Celebrity Big Brother". Digital Spy. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
    6. ↑ "One for Sorrow (Acoustic Version) by Claire Richards | Free Listening on SoundCloud". soundcloud.com. Archived from the original on 30 January 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
    7. ↑ "An interview with Claire Richards". Retrieved 15 September 2019.
    8. ↑ "Claire Richards". Facebook.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
    9. ↑ Steve Anderson [@MrSteveAnderson] (2 September 2015). "A little one take moment in the studio – hope you like it! Deeper Shade Of Blue (Piano Version) @_ClaireRichards" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    10. ↑ "Steps head into recording studio". Ultimate Steps. 10 August 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
    11. ↑ Wass, Mike (2 March 2017). "Steps' Comeback LP Is Tears On The Dancefloor". Idolator. United States: Hive Media. Archived from the original on 2 March 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
    12. ↑ Read-Dominguez, Jennifer (6 March 2017). "Steps CONFIRM comeback with new album announcement". Digital Spy. United Kingdom: Hearst Corporation. Archived from the original on 6 March 2017. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
    13. ↑ "Tears On the Dancefloor (Crying At the Disco Deluxe Edition) by Steps on iTunes". Music.apple.com.
    14. ↑ "Steps Tickets | Concert Dates & Tour". The Ticket Factory.
    15. ↑ McCreesh, Louise (25 April 2018). "Claire Richards confirms new Steps album is on the way". Digital Spy. United Kingdom: Hearst Corporation. Archived from the original on 25 April 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
    16. ↑ "Claire Richards: "I've wanted to do this album for years"". ITV. United Kingdom: ITV plc. 1 February 2019. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
    17. ↑ Tabberer, Jamie (8 September 2020). "Steps confirm new album What The Future Holds: 'We couldn't keep it a secret any longer'". Metro. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
    18. ↑ White, Jack (8 September 2020). "Steps announce new album, single and 2021 arena tour". Official Charts Company. United Kingdom. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
    19. ↑ "BBC – Radio 2 New Music Playlist Radio 2 New Music Playlist W/C 16 January 2021". Retrieved 22 January 2021.
    20. ↑ "Michelle Visage joins pop legends Steps as 'unofficial sixth member' for boptastic musical comeback". 17 February 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
    21. ↑ "One week to go! FIRST PLAY of #HeartbreakInThisCity with @MichelleVisage on @bbcradio2 February 25th at 7:50am then available to download/stream that morning". Retrieved 22 February 2021.
    22. ↑ Stichbury, Tom (8 February 2023). "Steps icon Claire Richards reveals bizarre way she kept cool in 'heavy' Masked Singer Knitting costume". Metro. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
    23. ↑ Carey, Rebecca (29 January 2023). "The Masked Singer fans think Knitting is Steps star Claire Richards". Glasgow Times. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
    24. ↑ "The Masked Singer's Claire Richards convinced Virgin Radio presenter is Phoenix". Virgin Radio UK. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
    25. ↑ Ellwood-Hughes, Pip (28 June 2023). "Interview: Claire Richards talks about upbeat new solo album 'Euphoria' and covering Celine Dion". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
    26. ↑ "Claire Richards turns up the disco heat on new single I Surrender". Retro Pop. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
    27. ↑ Forrest, Jo (28 June 2023). "Claire Richards announces new album and single". TotalNtertainment. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
    28. ↑ "Claire Richards teams up with Erasure's Andy Bell on storming cover of ABBA's Summer Night City". Retro Pop. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
    29. ↑ Dan French (6 May 2009). "763,000 watch Steps star's 'Fat Wedding'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 12 May 2009.
    30. 1 2 "Claire Richards | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
    31. 1 2 "Claire Richards – Euphoria". Ultratop (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 September 2023.
    32. ↑ "Claire Richards: Euphoria - CD Deluxe Version | Amazon UK". Amazon UK. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
    33. 1 2 "Claire Richards celebrates divas from across the decades on her second solo LP Euphoria". Retropop Magazine. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
    34. ↑ "A Deeper Shade of Blue by Claire Richards on Amazon Music – Amazon.co.uk". www.amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
    35. ↑ "End Before We Start Claire Richards Solo Single". Claire Richards. September 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
    36. ↑ "Shame On You Claire Richards Solo Single". Claire Richards. January 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
    37. ↑ "Thanks for all the love about '7 Billion' being the next single from #MyWildestDreams🌍💜". Facebook. 30 March 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
    38. ↑ "Claire Richards teams up with Erasure's Andy Bell for ABBA cover 'Summer Night City'". entertainment focus. 27 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
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