Claire Richards sent fans into a frenzy recently when she revealed there’s a project Steps is currently working on that she’s “really trying to get rid of”.

The comment, made during a virtual chat on BBC Radio 2, soon went viral, with fans racking their brains as to what the mystery venture may be.

When asked whether there was “anything in the Steps pipeline that never materialised,” the singer admitted she “can’t remember anything” from the past, but revealed “there’s stuff we’re working on at the moment… that I’m really trying to get rid of ’cause I don’t like it”.

Claire’s comments even shocked bandmate Faye Tozer, who chimed: “You’ll have to tell me afterwards! What’s that?”

Speaking exclusively to Retro Pop, the On My Own singer cleared up the comments, insisting she had no idea her remarks would prompt so much speculation.

She laughed: “It literally was one piece of merch! We’ve been sorting out our merch range recently…

“Literally, what I was talking about was one piece of merch that I absolutely couldn’t stand and I was really desperately trying to get it out of the range.”

Claire insisted: “It wasn’t anything to do with music. It was nothing to do with [new single Heartbreak in this City]. It was nothing to do with touring. It was literally one piece of merchandise.

“I think I sounded a bit vague about it, but the only reason I said it was because we’d been talking about it literally the night before. So I’d done all my notes and stuff. And that was it. That’s all I could think of at that moment. It’s got nothing to do with anything serious. Honestly.”

When pressed to reveal the item in question, she teased: “I’m not gonna say what it is, because there’s always a possibility that it’ll pop up. But if I’ve got anything to do with it, it won’t.”

This week, Steps released their new track, Heartbreak in this City featuring Michelle Visage, as the fourth single from their latest album, ‘What The Future Holds’, and to mark the occasion the group dropped an all-new line of clothing, apparel and accessories. 

Included in the collection is T-shirts and hoodies in a variety of designs, along with a lush oversized fleece blanket hoodie. 

There’s also tote bags, mugs, face masks and water bottles up for grabs, with orders shipping from April. 

Heartbreak in this City, co-written by classic Steps collaborator Karl Twigg and Stella Attar, became a firm favourite among fans following the release of the group’s sixth album.

Chatting to Retro Pop, Claire Richards insisted the collaboration with Michelle “couldn’t be more perfect,” revealing: “I think if we’re going to do it with anybody, then she is actually the perfect choice.

“She’s even more camp than we are – which is a feat in itself!”