Comeback success 'like a dream' for boyband Five

Claudia Sermbezisand
Nathan Bevan,South East
News imageGetty Images Boyband Five , pictured in 1998.Getty Images
Five pictured in their 1998 heyday

Boyband Five have described the success they have experienced since reuniting after a 25-year hiatus as being "like a dream".

Chart-toppers in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the group split in 2001 before getting back together last year.

The boyband, consisting of Abz Love, Scott Robinson, Ritchie Neville, Sean Conlon, and Jason "J" Brown, are to perform at Pride on the Park during this year's Brighton & Hove Pride.

"We wrote a lot of our music down in Brighton back in the day and it's always nice being down there," Brown said.

Five will be appearing alongside the likes of former Spice Girl Melanie C, Frankie Goes To Hollywood's Holly Johnson and soul legend Diana Ross.

News imageBBC/Claudia Sermbezis Boyband Five pose in the studio. BBC/Claudia Sermbezis
Five enjoyed chart topping success in the late 1990s and early 2000s

Formed in 1997 under the guidance of Simon Cowell, Five would soon dominate the UK charts and sell more than 20 million records worldwide.

"We were still children," Conlon, who was 15 at the time, said. "It was too much too soon."

He became the first to quit the band after struggling with depression.

Neville added: "It happened so fast, like an overnight success.

"I think we all experienced a little bit of imposter syndrome."

'Living a dream'

But things have been a lot easier since making their recent comeback, the band said.

"We didn't actually realise how much we are still in certain people's hearts, or how much they genuinely love what we do," Neville added.

"Five felt like something that was in the past, so to go out on stage in front of thousands of people now is just like living a dream.

"We can't say 'thank you' enough to anyone that's bought a ticket to see us so far."

Celebrating Brighton & Hove Pride's 35th anniversary, other acts appearing at the two-day event in Preston Park include Raye, Jessie J, Self Esteem, Paris Hilton and Armand Van Helden.

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