S Club 7 star Jo O’Meara says she would ‘be up for’ reunion

S Club 7 star Jo O’Meara has admitted she would never rule out a reunion with the band and said she thinks she would be ‘up for’ getting back together.

The singer, 42, who is set to release new solo music soon, admitted that she believes the band ‘could be reaching again one day’ ahead of their 20th anniversary.

The rumour mill surrounding a reunion has been swirling since Tina Barett, 44, said that the band were definitely keen to give the band another go last year.

S Club 7 rose to fame in 1999 with hits including Don’t Stop Movin’, Reach For The Stars and Never Had A Dream Come True however they split in 2003. 

When quizzed on a reunion by FUBAR hosts Stephen Leng and Bobby Norris on Thursday, Jo said: ‘There’s nothing set in stone. There’s been no meetings or anything like that. I mean I’d say, I’d never say never to it. You just, you never know what’s around the corner. But who knows, that’s all I’m saying.’

She said: ‘I think I’d be up for it. Yeah. When the time, if the timing’s right. Because obviously getting seven diaries together to sort of like, it’s tough because you know, few of us have got children and people are married and got other careers going on. So timing is always a big, massive, it has a big part to play in it. 

‘Definitely. But you never know, could be reaching again one day.’

During the chat, Jo also touched on her ‘wild’ memories of the band and joked about how they were so hard to interview because they all spoke over each other. 

She said: ‘We were just like young kids running wild, really. I think the people that used to interview us used to absolutely dread us, because we were just, we were like wild animals. 

‘We were! And like everyone was talking over one another and it was a bit of a nightmare with the seven. But we did have some really, really good times. 

‘And I’m very grateful that I was part of something that was so now, I suppose, iconic as S Club, really.’ 

While reminiscing on her time in the band, Jo also talked about her future as a solo artist, as she revealed plans to release new music. 

Detailing how things panned out, she said: ‘Two weeks before we were put into the first lockdown, and I had got a record deal and I was going back in to do the album stuff, and then everything closed. Didn’t it?’ 

‘Really bad timing. Yeah. So anyway, when the first lockdown was lifted and then you could sort of like have six people socially distanced, that’s when I’d get in the studio and start writing and getting everything going, which I’ve done. 

‘And luckily I managed to wrap the album up pretty quick. So that was handy. Because then we got thrown into another one after that. 

‘So I was glad I managed to get the album done at least. And then, it’s just a waiting game now, really. Just waiting for the right time.’ 

Jo confessed she has dipped her toe back into the music industry to avoid ever feeling regretful that she never gave it another shot.

It comes after Tina said that her former S Club 7 bandmates are all keen to reunite and make new music together 17 years after they split. 

Tina claimed to have spoken to the former band – Jon Lee, Rachel Stevens, Jo, Hannah Spearitt, Bradley McIntosh and Paul Cattermole- and has said: ‘We ­definitely want to do something new together.’ 

Speaking about the potential of making new music after fellow iconic band Steps managed to pull off a successful comeback, Tina told The Sun: ‘We ­definitely want to do something new together.  

‘We’re all older now so we could do something that reflects how we are now — not such a teeny-bopper sound, something more credible.  

‘I’ve chatted to pretty much everyone and I think we’re all up for it. So it’s just about getting it in the diary. I’m pretty sure it will happen.’ 

MailOnline contacted the S Club 7 members’ representatives for comment at the time.  

Tina also praised I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! winner Giovanna Fletcher for encouraging the band to think seriously about a reunion.

During this year’s season in Wales, the newly-crowned queen of the castle played the band’s iconic hit Reach. Tina said that hearing the music in the show was a ‘sign’. 

S Club rose to fame in 1999 however they split a few years later in 2003, with a brief reunion in 2014 and a tour in 2015.

During that time, Hannah embarked in a five-year relationship with ex-bandmate Paul Cattermole, with them starting to date during the height of their fame in 2001. 

After the band split, a smaller version of group titled SC3 and consisting of Jo, Bradley and Tina continued to perform around the country.

Since going their separate ways the seven stars have continued to work in the industry with Tina and Jo making music as solo artists.

Rachel as also continued singing and recently hosted Cabaret All Stars at Proud Embankment, although the run was cut short due to Tier 3 rules in London starting. 

Paul has particularly been open about his struggles since leaving the band and said last year that he had fallen on hard times and has been experiencing money problems since being declared bankrupt in 2015.

Jo was also at the centre of controversy in 2007 during an appearance on Celebrity Big Brother when she was accused of racially bullying Bollywood superstar Shilpa Shetty.  

Following in the footsteps of pop band favourite Steps, the band did reunite for a performance at Children In Need 2014 which delighted fans.

Steps also made a successful comeback in 2020 with the release their sixth studio album, What the Future Hold.

Steps split on Boxing Day in 2001, but reformed a decade later in 2011. 

They were due to tour their new album What the Future Holds but were forced to postpone it because of the coronavirus pandemic.