Speaking to worldpop earlier today, Kitten Liz McLarnon told us: ‘Heidi was in an earlier band with me and Kerry but we weren’t Atomic Kitten then.’

Natasha added: ‘I wish people would stop saying Heidi was in Atomic Kitten. She was never in Atomic Kitten. ‘

Natasha said Heidi made the decision to leave their band to head in an R&B direction.

But the Kittens, who release a new single, It's OK, on 20 May, brushed aside suggestions of a spat with chart opponents Sugababes, despite recent reports of vicious girl group rivalry. They also confirmed that Babe Heidi Range left the previous line up for reasons of her own and was not pushed out of the band.’