The ITV 'Popstars' television series gripped the nation in 2001 with its attempt to piece together a five piece pop group.

From the initial auditions in Manchester, right through to the chosen five's reaction to the news their debut single had topped the charts, the viewing public took each of the competing youngsters to their hearts.

It was only the judges decision in the Semi-Final auditions that prevented the formation of the biggest manufactured Manchester band since Take That. Suzanne Shaw, from Bury, (real name Suzanne Crowshaw) and Kym Marsh, from Ashton in Wigan, were the two lucky locals who made it into the final 5, with fellow Lancastrian's Jessica Taylor and Kevin Simm just missing out.

The success of the manufactured band has been phenomenal. Their debut single 'Pure and Simple' debuted at Number One, becoming the UK's best selling debut single of all time. A cover of the track originally recorded by "Girl Thing", it also became the third fastest selling single of all time, shifting over 550,000 copies in it's first week on the shelves. Only Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas" and Elton John's "Candle In The Wind" have sold faster.

Ironically the track was due to be released as a single by Girl Thing, who include local girls Linzi Martin and Michelle Barber. Despite it appearing on the all girl group's debut album, their record company withdrew it and instead gave it to Hear'say because of the intense public interest (and high forcasted sales figures). As if to add insult to injury, BMG dropped Girl Thing completely a few days later from their roster.

Hear'say's debut album, aptly titled "Popstars", released March 2001, instantly topped the charts and swept Kym and Suzanne from obscurity to become two of the most famous women in British pop.

In July 2001, their second single "The Way To Your Love" also entered the charts at Number 1 and heralded a sell-out UK arena tour which finales with two sell-out nights at the Manchester Evening News Arena.