Steps have unveiled two new versions of their ‘Platinum Collection’ greatest hits album. 

The group announced the ‘Pre-Party’ and ‘Party’ editions of the ‘Platinum Collection‘ on social media, featuring a host of exclusive bonus content. 

They penned: “Introducing the #PlatinumCollection Pre-Party & Platinum Party digital editions!

“Featuring 22 tracks including brand-new #Steps25Revisited versions, remixes, rarities & unreleased demos.”

It comes as Steps’ ‘Platinum Collection’ goes head to head with Madonna’s ‘Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones‘ compilation for this week’s No. 1 spot on the UK Albums Chart.

The group’s latest retrospective features their biggest hits plus new tracks Hard 2 Forget and The Runner, with Steps saying: “We cannot believe this year marks our 25^th anniversary.

“Someone recently mentioned that the latest era of Steps has actually now outlasted our original run which was a delightful surprise. 

“This anniversary marks the perfect moment to take a look back at everything we’ve achieved as a band. We realised that we’ve released a full 3 new studio albums since our last Greatest Hits so it felt like time to combine all our hits on one package.

“We’ve recorded two brand-new tracks for the album and presto, the ‘Platinum Collection’ was born.  It was such good fun listening back at 25 years of our songs and we hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane as much we did”.

‘Platinum Collection’ is available now.

Speaking in an exclusive cover feature in the September 2022 issue of Retro Pop, the group look back on their pop legacy and reveal the significance of their latest milestone.

Ian ‘H’ Watkins says: “When we released our first single, everybody laughed at us. All of the cool cats laughed at us. The record company big-wigs wanted us to go away and then with every single they laughed louder, they laughed harder.

“And then 25 years later, none of those cool cats are around, all those music execs have probably been ditched, and we’re still here.”

And when it comes to the next chapter in Steps’ legacy, Claire maintains the band is living in the moment with their ongoing summer tour – but insists there’s more to come. 

“I think we’ve come to realise since we got back together in 2011 that it is good for us to have little gaps here and there,” she says. “It also reminds people of the whole nostalgia of Steps as well, which is a massive part of what we are. So, we don’t want to keep ramming ourselves down people’s throats. 

“Once we’re done with all the summer shows to end this little chapter, we’ll start thinking about the next one…”

Read the full interview in the September 2022 edition of Retro Pop, out now. Order yours or subscribe via our Online Store or use our Store Finder to locate your nearest stockist