Editing Hear'Say (section)

== History ==
===2000–2001: Formation, ''Popstars'' and ''Everybody''===
Over the course of six weeks in late 2000, thousands of hopeful singers attended open television auditions for [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]'s ''[[Popstars (British TV series)|Popstars]]'' talent show. The contestants were judged by [[Nigel Lythgoe]], Paul Adam (director of A&R at [[Polydor Records]], who had rights to the finished group), and [[Nicki Chapman]], who had worked with the [[Spice Girls]]. The judges reduced the contestants to a group of ten, before visiting each of them at their homes to reveal whether or not they had been selected for the group. The five chosen singers – [[Danny Foster (musician)|Danny Foster]], [[Myleene Klass]], [[Kym Marsh]], [[Suzanne Shaw]], and [[Noel Sullivan]] – formed Hear'Say.<ref>{{ cite web | url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s102/popstars/news/a1836/popstars-winners-revealed.html | title=Popstars winners revealed | author=Neil Wilkes | work=[[Digital Spy]] | date=4 February 2001 | access-date=4 December 2012 }}</ref> The five unsuccessful finalists went on to form the group Liberty (later renamed [[Liberty X]] after a legal dispute). The programme documented Hear'Say recording and promoting their first single with the series ending on the night the single charted in the UK Singles Chart at number 1.  ''Popstars'' became an instant success, taking in audiences of over 10 million viewers.<ref>{{ cite web | url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s102/popstars/news/a1818/popstars-the-winners.html | title=Popstars: The Winners | author=Neil Wilkes | work=[[Digital Spy]] | date=2 February 2001 | access-date=4 December 2012 }}</ref>

In March 2001, Hear'Say released their first single, "[[Pure and Simple (song)|Pure and Simple]]", a cover of a little-known album track by [[Girl Thing]]. The song went straight to number one on the [[UK Singles Chart]] in March 2001, selling just under 550,000 copies.<ref name="number1">{{ cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1228195.stm | title=Hear'Say hit number one | publisher=[[BBC News]] | date=18 March 2001 | access-date=4 December 2012 }}</ref> "Pure and Simple" was the fastest-selling debut single at the time, as well as the fastest-selling non-[[charity single]] – a record beaten a year later by ''[[Pop Idol]]'' winner [[Will Young]].<ref name="number1"/> The track spent two more weeks at number one.<ref name="charthistory">{{ cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1254950.stm | title=Hear'Say make chart history | publisher=[[BBC News]] | date=1 April 2001 | access-date=4 December 2012 }}</ref> With the release of their debut album ''[[Popstars (Hear'Say album)|Popstars]]'', Hear'Say became the first act in UK chart history to simultaneously top the UK Singles Chart and [[UK Albums Chart]] with their debut releases.<ref name="charthistory"/> ''Popstars'' sold 306,631 copies in its first week, breaking yet another record for fastest-selling debut album.<ref name="charthistory"/> The album featured cover versions of "[[Monday, Monday|Monday Monday]]" by [[the Mamas & the Papas]] and "[[Bridge over Troubled Water (song)|Bridge over Troubled Water]]" by [[Simon & Garfunkel]], alongside original tracks purchased for the group.

Hear'Say released their second single, "[[The Way to Your Love]]", in June 2001. The song became their second consecutive number-one single.<ref name="secondnumber1">{{ cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1408985.stm | title=Hear'Say set for number one | publisher=[[BBC News]] | date=26 June 2001 | access-date=4 December 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{ cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1416864.stm | title=Hear'Say top charts again | publisher=[[BBC News]] | date=1 July 2001 | access-date=4 December 2012 }}</ref> The group were invited to perform at the 80th birthday celebrations of [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh]].{{citation needed|date=April 2020}} Hear'Say went on to present their own ITV show called ''Hear'Say It's Saturday'', which featured performances, comedy sketches and celebrity guests.<ref>{{ cite web | url=http://www.tv.com/shows/hearsay-its-saturday/ | title=Hear'Say It's Saturday | publisher=[[TV.com]] | access-date=4 December 2012 }}</ref> This followed on from a mini-series named ''Meet the Popstars'' which was intended to allow the public to get to know the group and their music away from the talent show format. In August 2001, Hear'Say toured the United Kingdom. They initially announced five dates which quickly sold out, causing the band to schedule thirty more dates.<ref name="tour">{{ cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1529078.stm | title=Hear'Say tour fails to sell out | publisher=[[BBC News]] | date=6 September 2001 | access-date=4 December 2012 }}</ref> However, the new dates struggled to sell out as hundreds of tickets remained unsold.<ref name="tour"/><ref name="rollercoaster">{{ cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1781728.stm | title=Hear'Say's rollercoaster career | publisher=[[BBC News]] | date=1 October 2002 | access-date=4 December 2012 }}</ref> The group also released a live DVD.

Whilst on tour, the group began recording their second studio album, ''Everybody''. In November 2001, just nine months after the release of their debut album, Hear'Say released ''Everybody''. The album was preceded by a single of the same name. The single debuted at number four, while the album crept into the chart at number 24.<ref name="rollercoaster"/> ''Everybody'' went on to sell just one fifth as many copies as ''Popstars''. Despite the second album's lack of success, it did achieve Gold status by the BPI but over a decade after its release<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards.aspx |title=Certified Awards |access-date=5 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124005813/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards.aspx |archive-date=24 January 2013 |df=dmy }} – Type 'Hearsay' in the search box, to find the certification.</ref> and plans were made for an arena tour but these were later cancelled.<ref name="rollercoaster"/>

===2001–2002: Line-up changes, decline and break-up===
Tabloids began reporting that Kym Marsh, who had gained attention due to her relationship with former ''[[EastEnders]]'' actor [[Jack Ryder (actor)|Jack Ryder]], had left the band following feuds with bandmate Myleene Klass.<ref name="rollercoaster"/><ref name="talkskym">{{ cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1759165.stm | title=Hear'Say in talks over Kym | publisher=[[BBC News]] | date=14 January 2002 | access-date=4 December 2012 }}</ref> A representative for Hear'Say denied the reports, stating: "Everybody who is involved with Hear'Say will be sitting down this week to discuss the future. Kym Marsh is still with the band."<ref name="talkskym"/> However, in January 2002, Kym Marsh announced that she was leaving Hear'Say, later revealing she often fought with Klass and Noel Sullivan.<ref>{{ cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/arts/music/kym-hearsay-was-one-big-row-6320730.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130421065051/http://www.standard.co.uk/arts/music/kym-hearsay-was-one-big-row-6320730.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 April 2013 |title=Kym: Hear'Say was one big row |work=[[London Evening Standard]] |date=28 January 2002 |access-date=4 December 2012 }}</ref> Auditions were held to find Marsh's replacement.<ref>{{ cite web | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1383619/HearSay-search-for-replacement.html | title=Hear'Say search for replacement | work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | date=3 February 2002 | access-date=4 December 2012 }}</ref>

The audition process was televised in segments of ''[[This Morning (TV programme)|This Morning]]'', an ITV daily morning show, mirroring the procedure during which the original members of Hear'Say were chosen.<ref>{{ cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1798677.stm | title=Hear'Say auditions reject thousands | publisher=[[BBC News]] | date=3 February 2002 | access-date=4 December 2012 }}</ref> [[Johnny Shentall]], husband of [[Steps (group)|Steps]] singer [[Lisa Scott-Lee]], won the auditions, joining the group on 5 February 2002.<ref name="shentall">{{ cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/feb/05/simonjeffery | title=Hear'Say announce new fifth member | author=Jeffery | work=[[The Guardian]] | date=5 February 2002 | access-date=4 December 2012 }}</ref> Controversy erupted when it was found out that Shentall had previously been a member of short-lived pop group [[Boom! (group)|Boom!]] and a back-up dancer for Hear'Say.<ref name="rollercoaster"/><ref name="shentall"/> In March 2002, Hear'Say cancelled their planned arena tour to allow Shentall time to "settle in" to the group.<ref name="rollercoaster"/>

Hear'Say began recording their third album. During the summer of 2002, the group toured the UK radio roadshows circuit, where they were constantly booed and abused by members of the public, with a performance in Brighton being cut short due to the animosity concerned – evidence of the degree of public animosity that had built up. During the tour, the group's vehicle was threatened by an apparently armed man at a motorway service area on the [[M1 motorway]] in Leicestershire.<ref name="rollercoaster"/> The man, later arrested, claimed to have been playing a prank on the group. In August 2002, Hear'Say released their only single with Shentall, entitled "Lovin' Is Easy". The track had a new sophisticated feel in an attempt to regenerate interest in the group's music. The single became Hear'Say's lowest charting single to date when it peaked at number six.<ref>{{ cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/story/122431/sugababes-back-on-top |title=Sugababes back on top |publisher=[[Sky News]] |date=18 August 2002 |access-date=4 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004234523/http://news.sky.com/story/122431/sugababes-back-on-top |archive-date=4 October 2013 }}</ref> Media reports suggested that Polydor Records wanted the single to at least reach the UK Top 5. Following the disappointing sales of the single, it was thought that they would be dropped by the label, though no official word came from Polydor.

Hear'Say split up on 1 October 2002, citing "abuse from the public" as the main reason.<ref name="rollercoaster"/><ref name="cnn">{{ cite web | url=http://edition.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/News/10/01/hearsay.quit/ | title=Abused pop band Hear'Say split up | publisher=[[CNN]] | date=1 October 2002 | access-date=4 December 2012 }}</ref> The group admitted to being a [[fad]] that had passed.<ref name="cnn"/> Hear'Say's popularity had been eclipsed by that of [[Liberty X]], a band composed of the five other finalists of ''Popstars''.<ref name="rollercoaster"/>