KEISHA'S COURT BID TO BAN SUGABABES

KEISHA'S COURT BID TO BAN SUGABABES By Will Payne 28/02/2010

She demands big pay-off

Girlband The Sugababes are being sued by founder member Keisha Buchanan - who is trying to BAN the group from using their name.

Keisha, who formed the band in 1998, has launched a legal bid to claim a stake in the Sugababes brand - which she says has grown into a multi-million pound business over the past 12 years.

Keisha - who was forced to quit the chart-toppers last September - has now demanded that the current line-up of Heidi Range, Amelle Berrabah and Jade Ewen call themselves something else or pay her a one-off sum which could potentially be millions of pounds.

If her dramatic High Court action is successful, it could spell the end for the band, who are soon due to release their new album Sweet 7.

Last night an industry insider said: "This is a landmark case and will send shockwaves through the industry.

"The Sugababes are one of the most successful girl bands of all time, but if they are forced to change their name it would be absolutely disastrous for them.

"It would be very hard for them to maintain any credibility if they had 2007. Sales no original band members and were called something different.

"Keisha was an integral member from the very beginning so it is easy to understand why she is acting like this. She even came up with the band's name Originals: Mutya, Keisha & Siobhan Donaghy with fellow founder member Mutya Buena and deserves something for making the Sugababes what they are today."

Keisha, 25, left the band last September in a storm of controversy amid claims she had been forced out by Heidi, 26, and Amelle, 25. It was reported that Heidi had "gone to war" with Keisha because she had allegedly bullied Amelle constantly.

On quitting, Keisha issued a statement blaming the split on "a breakdown in communication and lack of trust" and said it was not her choice to leave to the band.

Since then she has been replaced with new member - Eurovision contestant Jade, 22 - and the group have released two successful singles.

In recent interviews they have spoken about the split, saying they are happier than ever now Keisha is not a member.

Their No 1 that with had hit singles

Freak Like Me - May 2002. UK sales: 275,871 copies

Round Round - Aug 2002. Sales' 275,871 copies in UK

Hole in The Head - Oct 2003. Sales: 183,598

Push The Button - Sept 2005. Sales: 420,982

About You Now - Sept 2007. Sales 469,897.

Old line-up