SUGABABES - SUGABABES NEARLY CALLED IT A DAY

British girl group SUGABABES were on the verge of splitting when MUTYA BUENA left the group last November (05). HEIDI RANGE and KEISHA BUCHANAN and were stunned by Buena's decision to quit the successful three piece, despite enjoying chart-topping hits such as FREAK LIKE ME and HOLE IN THE HEAD. Range says, "It was a complete shock to Keisha and I and we thought at one stage, that's it - we're going to split up." It was their manager, MARK HARGREAVES, who persuaded the girls to stick with it and recruit new member AMELLE BERRABAH as a replacement for Buena. Buchanan says, "It was a bittersweet time. I was upset Mutya had gone - we'd known each other since she was nine - but really happy Amelle could join us. "The change has been good. We're doing as well as ever."