Smells Like Teen Spearritt

She was one-seventh of the biggest pop phenomenon to take Britain by storm since The Spice Girls. During nearly five years at the top of the music tree, Hannah Spearritt and her S Club 7 pals totted up a string of hits, two Brit Awards and raked in a rumoured £50m for their manager Simon Fuller.

With more than 3.5m viewers, their 1999 spin-off TV show Miami 7 was the most-watched children's programme in the UK. It was also televised in another 104 countries. When the gang split in May last year, hordes of teen fans - used to bopping to the likes of Reach and Don't Stop Movin' - were in floods of tears.

Ten months on, baby-faced blonde Hannah, who turns 23 next Thursday, is carving out a solo acting career. Her first role since the band sees her playing a teen spy in the kids' flick Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London.

Hannah, from Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, talks about her love for acting, former band-mate Paul Cattermole, 26, and her new-found anonymity.


How did you land the role of undercover spy Emily in Agent Cody Banks 2?

It kind of fell into my lap in May last year during the last few weeks of S Club. A casting agent asked me to audition for the part but the timing was mad. The band were performing their final gig at G.A.Y. in London on a Saturday night. We got really drunk afterwards and I spent Sunday recovering. By Tuesday we were shooting scenes.

Acting outside the band for the first time was daunting. But I'm having acting lessons.


What impact do you think Paul's leaving the band had on your final decision to split?

It definitely put a dampener on things. It was never the same again, but had he stayed we would still have packed it in relatively soon because we had covered just about everything we could.


It was clear from your last TV broadcast as a band on The Saturday Show that the group was going through a lot of emotion. How did things feel for you back then?

I'd say it was more uplifting than anything. Some people have missed the band more than me whereas I found it easier to make the break.


The band's squeaky-clean image was tarnished by revelations that some of the lads smoked dope. Was that a low-point for the group?

Not for me. I actually went through my lowest patch after about two years when we were filming in LA and the initial blast of success had worn a bit thin. It felt so lonely out there. LA is a crazy fantasy land and, at the time, we didn't know anyone.


So what have you been doing with yourself these past 10 months?

Cody Banks finished in July. From July to November I lounged in the flat I have with Paul, caught up with old friends, cooked and revelled in the time alone.


For the whole five months?

(Giggling) Yup. I vegged on the sofa. My initial plan after the band split had been to get an agent and land some auditions, but I didn't have a chance. It was only after filming that I began to worry. Just before Christmas, I had got myself an American agent. They send out scripts to me in the UK and I was called to some auditions. A fortnight ago, I spent a week in America going to castings.


So how do you feel you're doing with your acting ventures?

I don't know. Time will tell. I've noticed I'm getting cast in very young parts - Emily is 16 in Cody Banks. I've never been asked to audition for a part older than I am, but that's cool because I'd rather play an age I've experienced.


What will you do if things don't work out for you?

If I fall flat on my face I will be happy to do something else - baking cakes or doing behind-the-scenes work on a film set. Being in the limelight is not something I rely on. I'm not upbeat all the time but I don't lose sleep over it. I just let each day happen as it happens.


Do you miss the band?

It's like school. The more time passes, the more fondly I look back at it. I won't lie and tell you I'm best friends with everyone. Jon bangs on my door every fortnight and I plan to see Tina soon, but we don't hang out that much because we are all so busy.


What about Rachel and Tina - would they be happy to see each other?

The press says they apparently had a feud, but I'd hardly call it that. No one gets along with everyone all of the time.


And how do you feel about your ex-manager Simon Fuller? Rumour has it he bagged £50m while you lot got £150,000 a year.

Don't ask me about figures. I haven't got a clue. All I know is I'm a lot better off than a lot of 22-year-olds. Sure, Simon is making a lot of money but I'm happy with my share of cash. I've got my own home and I've had the most fantastic years with the band.


How has the group split changed things with Paul?

We wondered whether the band was the only thing we would have in common, so it was interesting to see if we were cool after that ended. And we are.


Will you ever do a Jason and Kylie and do a duet with Paul?

(Chuckling) That would be our worst nightmare. The closest we could ever get to working together again was if Paul was to direct a film I was in.


Is marriage on the cards?

No. I don't dream about a big white wedding. And, yes, I want kids, but not yet.


What's next for you?

I'm gearing up for shooting the horror film The Bride Of Chucky in Romania.


That's a bit of a change from S Club!

Yes! And I can't wait to go up in flames at the end of the film.


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