Mutya: 'Original Sugababes should reform'

Mutya Buena says all three original Sugababes should reform into a new group

Ex-Sugababes singer Mutya Buena says the group is now just 'a brand', as it emerges Keisha Buchanan was forced to leave after issuing an ultimatum.

Keisha controversially quit the award-winning girl band on Tuesday, sparking mass speculation behind her reasons for leaving.

It was reported that Heidi Range brokered a secret deal with bandmate Amelle Berrabah to oust Keisha, or that Keisha quit due to major rows with Amelle.

Today it emerged that Keisha issued her record company with an ultimatum, stating, 'It's me or Amelle'.

But her plan backfired when Heidi sided with Amelle - and Keisha was forced to walk.

'Keisha insisted she would leave the band if Amelle was still in it. So she gave them the 'it's her or me' ultimatum,' a source told the Daily Mail.

'At first, they didn't know what to do and consulted Heidi. She refused to take either side and refused to gang up with Keisha to push Amelle out.

Keisha left when she insisted she could not work with Amelle in the line-up. 'She pushed herself out and is already regretting her decision,' adds the source.

Keisha was replaced with Eurovision singer Jade Ewen, who is quickly re-recording her vocals on the band's new album.

Meanwhile, original band member Mutya Buena says the Sugababes is now just 'a brand' and mooted plans for all three original ex-members to reform as a new group.

'I just don't think the Sugababes is the Sugababes any more,' she said during an interview on GMTV

'I'm actually quite disappointed. Obviously the 'brand' name of Sugababes will always carry on. But to say there's no original in the Sugababes, it just kind of puts it down a bit.'

Mutya formed the band with Keisha and Siobhan Donaghy in 1999. Heidi replaced Siobhan in 2001 and Amelle took over from Mutya in 2005.

Now Mutya says the three original members should get back together.

'It would be different if Keisha had stayed in it and someone else had gone... but wow, I suppose now there's no original Sugababes left, we should just all re-form again.'

We're not sure we could handle two Sugababes bands rowing, fighting and falling out! It means the rest of us could find ourselves conscripted - a bit like jury service...

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