Louise Redknapp 'using trans row to get Eternal bandmates cancelled'

Louise Redknapp ‘is trying to get bandmates cancelled’ in Eternal trans row: Inside band’s bitter fallout as Christian sisters Easther and Vernie Bennett say star has ‘weaponised’ their decision to block Pride gigs because of ‘hijacking’ by trans activists

A ‘weaponised’ trans row has torpedoed Eternal’s reunion tour amid claims Louise Redknapp is trying to get two fellow band members ‘cancelled’ over their decision to snub Pride gigs. 

The chart-topping British R&B group, made up of Louise, Kelle Bryant and sisters Easther and Vernie Bennett, had been planning a huge 2024 comeback tour.

But this week a furious behind-the-scenes fallout emerged after the Christian Bennett sisters – whose mother is a pastor in London – allegedly refused to play LGBTQ+ festivals because the trans activists had ‘hijacked the gay community’.

The claims left Louise and Kelle ‘stunned’, prompting Louise to pull out of the reunion, with her publicist saying: ‘Louise is a huge supporter and ally of the LGBTQ+ community and both herself and Kelle told the duo they would not work with anyone who held these views, and as such the reunion as a four would not be going ahead.’

But Redknapp has since been accused of ‘throwing her bandmates under the bus’ by Eternal’s original manager, Denis Ingoldsby, who said the star had ‘weaponised’ the sisters’ views in an effort to get them ‘cancelled’.

Defending them, Ingoldsby said the Bennetts – who once enjoyed a private audience with Pope John Paul II during their time with Eternal in 1995 – had been left ‘devastated’ by the claim from Louise’s publicist Simon Jones and accused her team of misrepresenting details of a private email – something Redknapp’s camp denies.

Vernie previously said Eternal was a ‘beacon to Christians’ that would never ‘sing anything that was ungodly’. 

Eternal, who shot to stardom in the nineties, were planning a huge reunion tour next year, with the highlights including performances at Pride and Mighty Hoopla (pictured in 1994)

Louise, who recently confirmed she is dating new boyfriend Drew Michael, has performed as a solo artist at many Pride events over the years (Louise performing at Brighton Pride in August)

South London girl band Eternal are granted a private audience with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican before performing their single ‘I Am Blessed’ for him at a Christmas concert in 1995

Easther Bennett and Vernie Bennet pictured during an event in 2015 

‘Louise and her team have thrown them under the bus and everyone is totally appalled at their bullying behaviour by totally misrepresenting the situation to suit their own agenda,’ Mr Ingoldsby told the Mirror. ‘The girls sent an email to Louise’s camp saying they loved playing Pride, and they loved the ethos of the event.

‘For her camp to go on the record suggesting they are homophobic is utterly outrageous. This is nothing about gay rights. The girls have played numerous LGBTQI venues their entire careers and have been inspired by the love and acceptance they have received.

READ MORE: Louise Redknapp pulls out of Eternal reunion after her bandmates REFUSE to play LGBTQ+ festivals and Pride over claims they are being ‘hijacked’ by the trans community

‘This is about the debate about the trans lobby and the erosion of the rights of women and children. Vernie said she had some concerns about the Pride movement being hijacked – and she is not alone – but this has now been weaponised against her, with Louise’s team trying to get her cancelled.’

Louise and her team claimed to have received a message from Vernie and Easther, insisting they would not be involved in any Pride shows or LGBTQ+ festivals. 

The sisters, who regular attend church, were brought up as Christians, with homosexuality considered a sin in the Catholic faith.  

Eternal, who shot to stardom in the nineties with platinum album Always & Forever, were planning a huge reunion tour next year, with the highlights including performances at Pride and Mighty Hoopla.

Both festivals celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, however the tour dates apparently did not go down well with band members Easther and Vernie.

Louise’s publicist, Simon Jones, said: ‘A message was sent to the team putting together the Eternal reunion stating that if it was to go ahead, neither Vernie nor Easther would perform at Pride shows or LGBTQ+ festivals.

Vernie Bennett (pictured) previously said Eternal was a ‘beacon to Christians’ that would never ‘sing anything that was ungodly’

Speaking out: Earlier in the day, Louise shared a post after pulling out of the Eternal reunion because two of the band members have refused to play any LGBTQ + gigs

Always and forever: Louise addressed her decision to step down from the tour, by sharing the Progress Pride Flag on her Instagram Stories, writing: ‘Always and forever’

Backing out: Both festivals celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, however the tour dates apparently did not go down well with band members Easther and Vernie Bennett, (second and far right)

‘This was because the duo felt that the gay community was being hijacked by the trans community and they do not support this.

‘Louise is a huge supporter and ally of the LGBTQ+ community and both herself and Kelle told the duo they would not work with anyone who held these views, and as such the reunion as a four would not be going ahead.

‘The team behind the proposed Eternal reunion are gay including management, PR and tour promoter, and neither myself nor any of the team would work with artists who held such views about the trans community.’

READ MORE: Kelle Bryan breaks her silence after bandmate Louise Redknapp pulled out of Eternal reunion when their bandmates refused to play LGBTQ+ gigs over trans row

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According to the Mirror, Redknapp and Bryan were ‘stunned’ by the Bennett sisters’ views and decided to split from the group in June.  

A source told the publication: ‘Louise, Kelle, Easther and Vernie had all signed up to perform a huge nationwide tour next year, culminating with a huge show at pop festival Mighty Hoopla which is loved by the gay community. 

‘Then in June the girls received an email from Easther and Vernie who refused to play any gay festivals or Pride. They said they can’t support the LGBTQ+ community now it has an alliance with the trans community, a stance Vernie in particular has been public about on socials.’

Easther and Vernie have been contact by MailOnline for comment. 

Shortly afterwards, Louise posted a picture of the Progress Pride flag to her social media accounts. It was captioned ‘Always and Forever’ – the title of Eternal’s first album.

The flag was created in 2018 by nonbinary artist Daniel Quasar, and is largely based on the iconic 1978 rainbow flag. 

The stripes of black and brown represent marginalized LGBTIQ+ people of colour and the triad of blue, pink, and white are from the trans flag.

On Monday, Eternal star Kelle broke her silence after Louise pulled out. Taking to Twitter on Monday, Kelle, 48, appeared to throw her support behind Louise, also 48, as she said she was an advocate for inclusion and equality for all. 

Kelle Bryan has broken her silence after her bandmate Louise Redknapp pulled out of the Eternal reunion when their bandmates refused to play LGBTQ+ gigs over trans row (pictured on Loose Women earlier this month)

Louise Redknapp refused to perform at a reunion gig following the comments (she is pictured at the National Television Awards at London’s O2 on September 5)

Something to say: Kelle insisted that she was all about ‘inclusion and equality for all’ when she tweeted on Monday

Kelle, a presenter on Loose Women, wrote: ‘Opportunities to reunite for an Eternal reunion tour with the girls has been discussed many times over the years. 

‘As mothers, the right opportunity and timing for all of our schedules have been tricky to arrange. 

‘The relationship with our fans and the joy of celebrating our success was, and still is, my motivation. 

READ MORE: Louise Redknapp breaks her silence on new romance with boyfriend Drew Michael – six years after marriage split from Jamie 

‘My stance and allegiances have always been that I am an advocate for inclusion and equality for all. 

‘Thank you for your continued support over three decades. God bless, Kelle x.’

Eternal  formed in 1992. Always and Forever was the first album by a girl group to sell more than a million copies in the UK. They went on to have 14 top 15 UK hits and four top 10 albums. 

The reunion would have been the first time the band had performed in their original line-up since Louise quit for solo stardom in 1995.

Louise, who recently confirmed she is dating new boyfriend Drew Michael, has performed as a solo artist at many Pride events over the years.

Earlier this summer she took to the stage alone at Brighton Pride in August.

But the Bennett sisters have previously been outspoken about their religious upbringing – and their views on what the band should perform.  

Speaking in 1995, shortly before releasing their Christmas hit ‘I’ve Been Blessed’, Vernie Bennet said Eternal had a strong Catholic following, telling Cross Rhythms: ‘We’re aware that we’re a beacon to Christians. We’re not a gospel group but we would never sing anything that was ungodly.’ 

The Bennett sisters have previously been outspoken about their religious upbringing – and their views on what the band should perform (Eternal pictured in the 1990s – left to right: Easther Bennett, Kelle Bryan, Vernie Bennett, and Louise Redknapp)

The Eternals pictured on stage during the 1995 Brit Awards at the peak of the fame 

The group previously spoke about their religious beliefs to the publications. When asked how many were Christian, they said: ‘All of us!’ 

Vernie and Easther grew up in the church their mother pastored, while Louise had a Catholic upbringing.

Vernie added her pastor mother had reservations about the band. ‘When we started out she didn’t want us to do it. She perceived the music scene as being all sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. But now she sees us coming home at night, not all drugged up, not abandoned to lust, she’s changed her mind.’

Speaking in 1995, Kelle added the group had strong links with their local London churches who had been ‘very, very supportive’ of them.  

‘They don’t think we’re doing a bad thing,’ she told Cross Rhythms. ‘They think we’re doing a good thing, being successful. We’re happy with what we’re doing and at the end of the day we are getting the message across very subtly in the way that we live.’

She added: ‘Our fans do question us, they say, “How come Esther signs ‘God is love’ on our autographs?” and that causes a question, and then it gives us an opportunity to talk about God, which is very important to all of us.’

Earlier this week, Louise paid tribute to her time with the band, taking to Instagram to honour their 30th anniversary. 

Eternal – Vernie Bennett, Kelle Bryan and Easther Bennett pictured on the ‘Big Reunion’ TV show in February 2014

The Eternals are pictured 20 years earlier at the 1994 Brit Awards at Alexandra Palace 

Louise Redknapp previously paid tribute to her time with the band, taking to Instagram to honour their 30th anniversary

But the bitter feud has cast fresh doubts on whether Eternal’s original quartet will ever reunite, with PR gurus telling MailOnline the clash will likely scupper hopes of a comeback

She wrote: ‘Where it all began… 30 years ago today Stay was released. I remember it like yesterday… Happy 30th Anniversary to my Eternal girls.

‘I remember it like if was yesterday the first radio play sat round my mums kitchen table missing the que to hit record when it played, to going to America to shoot the video and so many more incredible memories.

‘Stay is such a timeless song Easther absolutely KILLING that opening note as she does and I’m so proud this was where it all started for us! I’m so lucky I got to record this song myself for my Greatest Hits this year and girls I hope I did you proud.

‘Happy 30th Anniversary to my Eternal girls Kelle, Easther and Vernie and most importantly THANK YOU to each and every one of you that has been there with us from day 1 buying every record, coming to every show and being so supportive over the last 30 years.’

Louise’s publicist Mr Jones, who had earlier issued a statement hitting out at Vernie and Easther, said they stood by all their comments. 

He said: ‘Denis Ingoldsby was not involved in the discussions about the Eternal reunion including all four members over the last two years. Easther and Vernie can try and dress this up however they wish. The fact remains that the duo said they would only do the Eternal reunion if no Pride or LGBTQ+ festivals were included.

‘Louise would obviously not agree to excluding the LGBTQ+ community from their touring plans. We as a team absolutely do not agree with dividing the LGBTQ+ community or excluding trans people.’

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