STEPS - STEPS REUNION OFF

Former STEPS singer IAN 'H' WATKINS has scuppered plans for a reunion of the British pop group, because he has just landed the lead role in a GBP1 million ($1.95 million) London production of musical FAME. Watkins - who was due to reunite with old bandmates FAYE TOZER, LISA SCOTT-LEE, LEE LATCHFORD-EVANS and CLAIRE RICHARDS for a comeback tour later this year (07) - has become hot property in the theatre world after winning the role of NICK in the West End play. A source says, "Ian's had too many theatre offers. The others were disappointed but understand." Steps achieved UK chart success in the late 1990s with hits including STOMP and TRAGEDY, but split in 2001.