Eternal have a new member as they plan to return to the stage for the first time in 10 years.
The ‘90s group – originally starring sisters Easther and Vernie Bennett, Kéllé Bryan and Louise Redknapp – are set to reunite this summer, with Kéllé and Louise out and new singer Christel Lakhdar joining.
Christel told The Mirror: “I’ve been singing these songs since (I was) a young age and feel like pinching myself as I’m taking it all in.”
Vernie added: “Meeting Christel for the first time just felt right. She’s talented, accomplished and has such an amazing personality.
“She’s also strong vocally, so our harmonies will be taken to the next level. I think our music followers will love her just as much as we do.”
Easther continued: “This new era is all about enjoying the moment.”
It comes after two of the band’s founding members pulled out of a planned full-band reunion when the sisters refused to play any LBGTQ+ gigs over claims the community is being “hijacked” by the transgender community.
Eternal’s debut album, ‘Always & Forever’ (1993), saw the band appear as a four-piece, before Louise departed and launched a hugely-successful solo career. They continued as a trio for two more albums – ‘Power Of A Woman’ (1995) and ‘Before The Rain’ (1997) – before Kéllé exited the line-up.
A new member, TJ Arlette, was drafted in but having exited the band after a matter of days, the sisters continued as a duo with their eponymous fourth album before calling time on the band.
Kéllé briefly rejoined Eternal to appear on ‘The Big Reunion’ in 2014.
