SUGABABES - SUGABABE BERRABAH: 'BUCHANAN HAD TO GO'

SUGABABE BERRABAH: 'BUCHANAN HAD TO GO'

SUGABABES star AMELLE BERRABAH has pulled out of an awards ceremony in the U.K. next week (30Sep09) - to avoid a confrontation with axed bandmate KEISHA BUCHANAN.
The band was thrown into turmoil when founding member Buchanan announced her departure on Monday (21Sep09) following a growing rift with Berrabah.
She has since been replaced by Eurovision star Jade Ewen - and Berrabah has now broken her silence, insisting Buchanan was forced to quit for the sake of the band.
Berrabah also confirms she deliberately vanished for three days earlier this month (Sep09) after tensions within the group became too much.
She tells the U.K.'s Daily Mirror, "Keisha didn't leave off her own back (sic) - me and Heidi couldn't carry on. I was depressed. You shouldn't have to go to work treading on eggshells. Before going to L.A. I disappeared for three days and I got to the point where I just couldn't take any more. I suppose I was a bit depressed.
"I needed to be on my own. Even my own family couldn't get hold of me. I hit that wall. Heidi completely supported me and knew what was going on within the band. But we all couldn't work together any more. We weren't happy, me and Heidi, and it was a struggle to come into work. We didn't enjoy it."
The publication also reports both Berrabah and Buchanan have axed planned appearances at the Music Of Black Origin Awards in Scotland on Wednesday (30Sep09) to avoid any awkward confrontation.