Music fans were queuing in excitement to meet noughties pop band Steps who are in the Victoria Centre signing copies of their latest album. Fans of the dance group, who were formed in 1997 and are known for a back catalogue including One For Sorrow and Heartbeat/Tragedy, lined the shopping centre for the arrival of the group at HMV.
Steps are celebrating the launch of The Platinum Collection, which marks 25 years since the band started making music together. HMV Nottingham shared the news that the group, consisting of Lee Latchford-Evans, Claire Richards, Lisa Scott-Lee, Faye Tozer and Ian "H" Watkins, would be appearing at the store at 12.30pm on Tuesday, August 25, to sign copies of the new record.
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The band are also embarking on a new tour, with the new album featuring all their greatest hits including two new songs. Fans were encouraged to buy the new album, which came with a wristband that allowed entry to meet the band.
Fans started queuing for the meet and greet about two hours before the doors were set to open. The event sold out online once it was announced that there would be an option to meet the band.
Tom Baker and his daughter Amelia travelled in from Long Eaton to be the first in the queue. They started queuing at 10am to be there when the band were due to enter at 12:30.
"I got into the band late as my wife introduced me to them but I'm here with my little one today," he said. "This is primarily who we are here for as she is the next generation of fan. We got here at 10am as she's a big fan."
"My favourite song is 5,6,7,8" added Amelia who was one of the youngest fans in the queue at nine years old.
Anne Marie Dawson walked down from the Arboretum to meet the band. She had a copy of the new album ready to be signed.
"I'm excited to see Steps as I've been a fan since I was a teenager and we've been here since 10am. My favourite track is here and now. I never get to see them in concert because of my health so we thought this would be the only time I would get to see them in person so that's why we came here," she explained.
A large cheer broke out as Steps entered the store and took a seat behind a table ready to greet fans. They have a busy schedule ahead of them as they are due to travel to Birmingham and Leicester after their Nottingham tour. They stopped to wave at fans and even led the long queue in a quick version of Tragedy including the dance moves.
It won't be the last time that Steps pay a visit to Nottingham this year as Faye Tozer is set to star in the Theatre Royal Panto for Christmas 2022. The singer will be joining seven dwarfs, a princess, and a handsome prince in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
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