Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
A STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
Why band frontwoman Claire Richards is loving being back, slim and 40
Their re-emergence has been nothing short of, well, Steptacular – as well as giving an excellent demonstration of how to put the right foot forward when it comes to timing.
Reunited Brit award winners Steps are perfectly placed to jump on the bandwagon of the 90s nostalgia boom. Last year, only Ed Sheeran held their 20th anniversary comeback album Tears On The Dancefloor off the top slot. This year the party keeps rolling with The Summer of Steps tour where they’ll be joined on dates by 90s contemporaries Blue and Aqua.
Since the band’s earliest days, frontwoman Claire Richards, then in her twenties, felt pressured to control her weight – now her new sleek physique as a 40-year-old draws much admiration. “There is no secret, says Claire. “It’s common sense at the end of the day. Everybody knows how to keep themselves fit and healthy. As long as you stop looking for the quick fix, then you should be OK.
“Everyone’s just got to do what’s right for them. I suppose more than anything that’s what I’ve learned – do everything you’ve got to do to be you. I think it took me a long time to realise that.”
Now happily married to husband Reece Hill with children Charlie, 10, and Daisy, 8, Claire admits she’s enjoying Steps with bandmates Lisa Scott-lee, Ian H Watkins, Lee Latchford-evans and Faye Tozer second time round far more than their early success.
“From the very start people put pressure on me to lose weight and that did affect me. It’s only now I feel happy and more confident than ever.
“I think it’s all to do with my age. I always thought 40 was really old and I’d never be able to do anything beyond that. But I’m proving myself wrong every day.” When Steps split, Claire and band member Ian formed a duo. Now she helps look after his twin boys on tour. “They were on pretty much the whole arena tour last year,” she smiles.
“I’ve spent many an afternoon trying to get them to sleep. They’re just like him, really full of life.
“It was certainly a different experience to have such young kids on tour with us, but it was really nice.”
’I always thought 40 was really old. But I’m proving myself wrong every day’