GLAMOUR girl trio Bliss revealed their new line-up exclusively to Pulse this week and talked about their expectations for the coming year.
After founder members Abigail Jackson and Laura Heyworth sensationally walked out in December, the Padiham band was left in turmoil.
But new recruits Antonia Robbins and Lorna-Jayne Heaton are ready for the challenge ahead.
Antonia is 18 and studying at Liverpool Hope University and Lorna-Jayne is just 16 and in her final year at Habergham High School, Burnley.
With 16 gigs under their belts and confidence sky high, both girls are delighted to be part of Bliss.
Antonia said: "I screamed, when then they told me I was in. I phoned my my gran first but she was so excited she put for the phone down on me."
Being the youngest, Lorna-Jayne has already earned the nickname of Baby Bliss.
And having seen the band become such a big act, she is well aware of the hard work that goes into being a success. In the middle of her final year, after she completes her GCSEs in the summer, she plans to concentrate on the group full-time.
Bliss first blasted onto the local scene in the summer of 1999 after opening the show at Burnley's Bands in the Park event.
They then enjoyed a meteroric rise, supporting top pop acts like Craig David, Louise and even the mighty Steps at Wembley Arena before the split just days later.
But even in the difficult days following the exit of Laura and Abigail, the management team never considered throwing in the towel.
Manager Mark Whitehead said: "We felt we had achieved so much and, with Marie still on board, we felt the nucleus of the group was still there." Lead singer Marie Atkinson admitted being very upset when she heard that Abigail and Laura were leaving but, after shaping her life around making a career in the pop world, she was determined to go on.
Now working on new material which is described as more Limp Bizkit than Atomic Kitten, she is very happy with the new recruits.
Laughing, she said: "It so feels so comfortable. We get on really well and have a good laugh. The new music is even rockier and now the most important thing for us is to get the music right."
A delighted Mark said: "Finding the right replacements was critical and they way they've worked to put Bliss back on track. We couldn't have asked any more."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article