Jenny Frost rushed into the studio at “30 minutes notice” to record vocals for Atomic Kitten’s latest Whole Again reissue.
The group returned earlier this week with Southgate You’re The One (Football’s Coming Home Again), which puts a sports-themed spin on their classic 2001 hit.
Over the weekend, Natasha Hamilton and Liz McLarnon went viral on social media after performing the track to fans in London, on the same day England beat Ukraine 4-0 to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020.
And after dropping the track, Jenny told Capital Breakfast with Roman Kemp she had a very last minute call from her bandmates to record her parts.
“I had a hangover and I was on the beach and I was like, ‘What?’,” she recalled.
“I seriously went into the studio and I was like ‘I’m really sorry, I’m covered in sand’ and they were like, ‘Can you take your shoes off?'”
Jenny replaced Kerry Katona in the girl group from 2001 until they disbanded in 2004. She later joined them for performances in 2005, 2006 and 2008.
However, when Atomic Kitten reunited in 2012, Kerry returned to the group, where she remained for five years, before exiting again.
And according to OMD star Andy McCluskey, who penned the original lyrics to Whole Again, the trio had been considering recording a studio version of the football chant for some time.
Back in 2018, he revealed “The Kittens are really chuffed and are actually considering remaking the single with the England lyrics.
“Any time something you’ve created becomes widely accepted is humbling and touching. I wonder who made that first connection by starting to sing it, and suddenly everyone was doing it.”
“Looking back on when we first met / I cannot escape and I cannot forget / Southgate, you’re the one / You still turn me on / Football’s coming home again,” they sing on the chorus, referencing David Baddiel, Frank Skinner and The Lightning Seeds’ Three Lions.
Southgate You’re the One (Football’s Coming Home Again) is available now on digital platforms.
