STEPS: On The Road Again?

[Eggrules]

Episode 1 of 6

Why are they finding childcare issues so problematic? Why can't LSL's husband and/or children relocate? Faye, Clare and LSL have enough kids between them to arrange for fantastic support for 2 1/2 months preparation and then the 3 month tour.

Clare's husband seems like a misogynistic dollop; he had a point about the issues that caused her to quit still being the same though. Lee and Ian seems to have supportive partners, the girls not so much - maybe because they have children?

LSL does not come across well on these programmes. I work from home, sometimes with a young child present. She was very unprofessional imho. Do they both work in Dubai?

I really really like claire and think she is the one with the talent and support from the public, however, the constant "i cant do this" re dancing etc is getting a bit much and i sense that "im giving up" mentality plays into their hands.

I think Lee and Faye seem more eager for things to continue and it comes across them needing success for financial reasons.

I thought they were all a bit naive and under-prepared with regard to publicity. The young reporter was gauche, but they should have been better able to respond. They are being paid to make a TV show, which in turn promotes their tour. People will be interested in a lot of things and not just what they want to put in the public domain. I am interested in how they have faired financially in the past 10 years. If LSL has started a life in Dubai, is this an early retirement or is she working?

This is a 6-7 month intensive job with very long hours and lots of overnight trips. A massive workload for huge reward. They need to get sorted.

Clare has agreed to it and so should just get on with it (and thumb it out). It was a bit rich that Ian said they were all relying on Clare to do a better job with the dancing. Looking forward to seeing next week and how they get on when she has bronchitis.

I adore Claire, I feel she is me in many ways, you know aside from the pop career, like. I quite like her husband, although I agree the 'not like you' comments are stupid, I think he is just worried about her being unhappy. Faye and Lee just seem desperate, which was a little embarrassing last night.

Claire is right though, it is pure nostalgia. I went to the show with my friends and we had an absolute ball, we really, really enjoyed it, but I wouldn't buy a Steps album now. I might buy a Claire album though.

I think Clare's husband probably remembers the fall-out from last time and doesn't want to go through it again. Poor Faye and Lee seem the keenest for it to all continue after the tour - looks like the others are already regretting it.

Faye is the very definition of passive aggressive.

I thought she was quite punchy last night (in a calm way!)

She blatantly wanted to explode. I've always liked Faye, but I definitely think staying together would be flogging a dead horse.

Until last night, I think Faye came across quite well; she seems frustrated and annoyed. She was really raging when the journo asked LSL if she was rich because she lived in Dubai. They haven't agreed to anything beyond this tour and getting annoyed with others isn't going to persuade them to get on board. If this is what she really wants then she should stop rolling her eyes. If G-A-Y want to hear a particular song instead of their 'new' cover version, do it then.

I can see why Claire felt frozen out and left.

Eggrules - I thought the same. I wish Claire had stood up to her when she started going on about Claire throwing a wobbler. The conversations are staged but the sentiments clearly aren't, Faye was furious and you can really see the dynamic that made Claire so unhappy the first time around.

I love Faye i think she sees it as a job and is irritated by some of the things the job involes the Jorno questions were stupid and irrelevant they are in their 30s fgs , and its nobodies beeswax why LSL lives in Dubai , I am not getting the tears though suck it up girlies you are paid to do a job

oh and sack the make up artist to much eyelash going it

Pinkjenny How about 'Did you mean to sound so rude?' or 'no' (long pause)?

I think most people see STEPS as Claire and her backing vocalists/dancers. I think that the others get defensive and jealous of her. They focus on what she is finding difficult (weight, fitness, dancing). She has a lovely face. Needs counselling to be more assertive.

I think Faye is frustrated because that she wants the opportunities open to Claire. Claire doesn't seem that bothered; I think she would rather do presenting or something less intensive than touring with people she only has a job in common with.

The questions were crude - no-one is interested in what Faye's favourite colour is. They have agreed to be interviewed and should all adroit or savvy when dealing with the media in this circumstance. Ian dealt with the question about the letter quite well. They don't have to answer a personal question; they should expect impertinent questions and be able to deal with this (other than 'how rude!' and eye rolling).

There is of course financial motivation for doing the TV show/ tour/ STEPS job. The programme is highlighting their personal circumstances and they are being interviewed about this. I would like to know why LSL is living in Dubai and can't relocate for work or at least make better arrangements.

Eggrules - I don't disagree with any of that. Claire just comes across as a real 'everywoman', whereas Faye and Lisa have always been a bit harder to like. I do have to say that during the show my friends and I were commenting that they looked like they couldn't stand each other. Although I suppose it could have been nerves, I think we were the second show.

I concur, Claire Steps is more appealing; I want to like Faye; LSL is easy to dislike.

I am looking forward to seeing bits of the concert.

That journalist was awful though - made no effort to engage or get them enthused.

So it seems a mystery why LSL and family live in Dubai? What does she do out there? This is killing me, I need to know!

the complex they live looks a bit ex pat and bland , but it is Dubai so maybe im just a tad jealous a few years ago LSL was working in promotions and dancing , maybe its to do with that ? or maybe they are the caretakers of the complex

I'd much prefer caretakers

perhaps they couldnt get their holidays as they had a pool to clean or lightbulbs to change

I hav e no idea if LSL is a caretaker im just feeling a bit catty this morning

If they are going to talk about their life outside STEPS they need to be more candid. They just seem unorganised and whiney without better explanations.

Waiting for episode 3/6 - what if they haven't filmed the last one yet. We definitely need an aftermath show.

Just catching up with 2/6. They are all annoying me equally. except LSL who is annoying me a bit more.

Living cameras were in the audience of the concert we went too look out for the lady in the peach top hiding , Thats me

the camera Panned over seating area

Ooh sound problems. It all looks terrible TBH.

Looks like a row is brewing. How can there be another 4 episodes of this?

Mrsjay you are brave.

because they have to pay the make up artist thats why there is another 4 epsiodes sparkling have you seen those eyelashes and lipstick on them

I dont know if i was just embarassed to be at a STEPS concert at 40 i think i was was good though DD was in her element ,