STRONGER

The problem with replacing broken or lost parts on anything is that, if you do it often enough, you end up an item made of entirely new things rather than the original. The philosophical problem is when the item ceases to be the original and becomes a fake version of itself.

With Amell Berrabah taking over the role of the unpleasant one in the Sugababes, the band have now surely become just a Sugababes tribute act.

Still, at least this time round they've had time to prepare a proper handover - Berrabah has been being prepped for a month. Is it just us, or does someone in the photo of the new-look band have a look which says "I am the senior member of this group now; these are just my handmaidens?"

Curiously, Berrabah seems to be what security types call a clean skin - if you stick her name into Google, nothing comes up at all, which is extraordinary, especially for somebody who claims to have always wanted to be famous. We wonder what her name used to be?

Her officially-agreed communique:

“For years I’ve dreamt of breaking into the music business but never did I dare think that one day I would be the third Sugababe.

“When their manager approached me with the offer I was in such a state of shock that I couldn’t even answer him.

“Like millions of girls my age I’ve grown up with Sugababes’ music as a soundtrack to my life. And I’ve been a fan of theirs for years.

“I still can’t believe my luck.”

Actually, we make it you're the fifth Sugababe, but who's counting?

Heidi Range - no longer the new girl - was all about the sharing:

“Our management introduced us to Amelle as someone they knew with an amazing voice, who looked great and, just as important, was already a big fan of the band.

“When we all met her we instantly knew that she was the only person who could share the rest of the journey with us.”

Keisha, though, sounds more like a woman who has bought herself a pretty toy:

"When we met Amelle for the first time, it all just felt so right. We can’t wait for next year to show her off.”

We don't know if she actually strokes her saying "You're all mine now, my precious; do as I say and you'll come to no harm...", but we could believe she does.

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