DESTINY’S Child were famously mocked in the noughties and compared to the reality show Survivor, with the group’s line-up changes likened to being ‘voted off the island’.
But Destiny’s Child’s shift from four to three members had nothing on the Sugababes, whose members at one point didn’t include a single one of the original three: Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan and Siobhan Donaghy.
Mutya and Keisha, both 41, and Siobhan, 42, successfully won back the rights to the group’s name in 2019 and seem to have found the winning formula for reunions, releasing a string of new music and even headlining shows at The O2 Arena last year.
But now the girls are facing competition from their former bandmates, as The Sun can exclusively reveal Heidi Range and Amelle Berrabah are plotting a comeback.
Our source said: “Amelle and Heidi never fell out. The group just stopped and they were all ready for a break at the time.
“But Amelle has been performing solo solidly since 2024 and has been suggesting for some time now that Heidi should join her. It’s taken some persuasion but Heidi finally feels ready to get back to doing what she loves.”
It’s often suggested by die-hard Sugababes fans that the group didn’t achieve commercial success until Heidi, 43, replaced Siobhan in 2001.
Following her arrival, Sugababes scored their first number one with Freak Like Me and enjoyed a string of hits in the years that followed.
Amelle became part of the line-up in 2005 – replacing Mutya – and the group went on to release arguably their biggest hit so far, About You Now, which has sold more than a million units in the UK alone.
Final founding member Keisha was then replaced by Jade Ewen in 2009 and two years later they went on an indefinite hiatus.
But in 2024, Amelle confirmed to The Sun she was ready for them to get back together, despite being unable to use the Sugababes name. She said at the time: “It could be something. I’d never say no to it.”
For Jade, 38, the Sugababes is firmly in her past, but we understand Amelle and Heidi have been inspired by comments from fans urging them to make a comeback.
In May, Heidi returned to the stage for the first time in 15 years at Mighty Hoopla, where she performed alongside her All Saints pals Nicole and Natalie Appleton.
Our insider said: “Heidi didn’t realise how much she missed the feeling of being on stage until then.
“She’s in no way bitter about not being included in Mutya and Keisha’s Sugababes return and respects that Siobhan walked so she could run.
“But the demand from fans since Mighty Hoopla has been intense and now Heidi and Amelle are planning out performances of their own. Afterall, they co-wrote most of Sugababes hits so why shouldn’t they?
“Amelle and Heidi legally won’t be able to be billed as Sugababes for any live shows but nobody can stop them from using the music.”
As for Mutya, Keisha and Siobhan? The Sun understands they know they can’t stop Amelle and Heidi but are already anticipating some potentially awkward run-ins.
“They’re not worried,” a source said. “Keisha and Mutya have said on record many times that they’ve got no bad feelings towards Heidi and Amelle. But the thought of being booked for the same festival is something they’re trying not to think about.
“Who knows, though? Maybe they’ll give the fans what they want and come together as a five-piece for a one-off performance. Stranger things have happened.”
The Sun has reached out to representatives for Sugababes, Heidi and Amelle for comment.