Pop star Natasha Hamilton has announced she has quit Atomic Kitten after 26 years.
The singer, 42, issued a statement on Instagram on Friday and said she wants to concentrate on her solo career.
She said: ’26 incredible years, writing so many wonderful chapters, but now the time has come for me to close the book on this one.
‘The ride hasn’t always been smooth but I wouldn’t change a single thing. I’ve laughed and cried many a time with the girls, experienced so many surreal moments and been blessed with a career spanning 26 years – it’s been incredible and something I will always cherish.
‘Since 2013 myself and Liz have been on the nostalgia train, and we have performed non stop since then (apart from the global pandemic) where we came back even stronger, with more demand for out infectious pop songs.
Atomic Kitten’s Natasha Hamilton (far rirevealed she has quit the band after 26 years as she says ‘the ride hasn’t always been smooth’ (pictured in 2000)
‘At the beginning of the year I didn’t know how to juggle being a Kitten, whilst also trying to break out as a solo artist, but I gave it a go and I have to say, it’s been tough.”
She added: ‘Mainly because I go from being this strong, empowered woman, building a brand new career, to transporting back to a version of myself I really have outgrown.
‘I have been living in two worlds and it really has been difficult navigating both.”
Natasha explained she will perform her last Atomic Kitten ‘for the foreseeable future’ this weekend.
She said: ‘AK was always there to pick me up and get me back on my feet, both mentally and financially – and that’s something I will always be eternally grateful for.
‘But for me, right now, this is what I need to do to be able to focus on all the things that mean a lot to me.’
She said of her remaining bandmate: ‘Liz, I wish you all the luck and love in the world with your work ventures and all the amazing things that are still to come in life for you – it’s been one hell of a ride!!’
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