Recognise this rather glamorous lady? She’s ditched the combat trousers and crop tops from her days in chart-topping popband S Club 7, and now the uber-sassy Tina Barrett is about to launch her solo pop career here in Manchester. Tina will perform her first big live gig at Manchester Pride on Bank Holiday Monday, and she can’t wait to blow us all away with her seriously sexy new image after all those years spent in the squeaky clean S Club gang. She laughs: “I’ve definitely stepped away from the combat trousers, which isn’t a bad thing! “I’ve always been quite a fashion girl, and I like to take risks wih my style. “So I’m definitely going to be quite adventurous for my look for Pride.” She’s keeping her exact outfit under wraps, but the video for her new single Fire, out on September 24, sees Tina rocking a sultry 1920s flapper girl look so I suspect we can expect some sequins and some fringing come Monday. It’s 8 years since Tina performed with her S Club bandmates but despite persistent rumours that they will be the next band to reform – like Pride headliners Steps – Tina insists that’s not the case. She says: “Because everyone else seems to be getting back together it is a constant question we’re asked. “We have talked about it, but until everyone agreed to do it, it wouldn’t be something I’d agree to and nothing has been agreed.”
The Bank Holiday Monday entertainment list will be headlined by Abba tribute band Bjorn Again, as well as featuring a set from Britain’s Got Talent boyband The Mend. For the full Big Weekend lineup, don’t miss Friday’s CityLife entertainment guide [August 24] in your M.E.N. For tickets, see manchesterpride.com
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