BBC announces new documentary ‘Girlbands Forever’

The BBC has announced details of new documentary series Girlbands Forever, which comes after Boybands Forever aired last year and cast a unique light into life at the top of the UK pop tree.

Girlbands Forever will feature in depth interviews with members of bands such as All Saints, Atomic Kitten, Eternal, Little Mix, Mis-Teeq and Sugababes, including Heidi Range (Sugababes), Kelle Bryan (Eternal), Kerry Katona (Atomic Kitten), Melanie Blatt (All Saints), Perrie Edwards (Little Mix) and Su-Elise Nash (Mis-Teeq).

In addition, the series will also feature interviews with leading names across the industry involved in the creation and songwriting of those groups, including ELO’s Andy McCluskey, Clara Amfo, Darcus Beese OBE, Lucie Cave, MNEK, Nicki Chapman, Pete Tong, Pete Waterman, Scott Mills and Tulisa.

Last year’s series, which was also produced by Louis Theroux and Nancy Strang (Mindhouse Productions), followed the life changing reality of new-found fame at a young age, while also offering honest accounts of the pivotal behind-the-scenes moments that shaped their careers and reflecting on those times decades later.

Robbie Williams was among the main names lending his insights to the show, alongside Anthony Costa, Simon Webbe, Duncan James (Blue), Tony Mortimer, Terry Coldwell, John Hendy (East 17) and music bosses such as Simon Cowell (RCA Records) Nigel Martin-Smith (Take That) and Louis Walsh (Westlife).

Jonathan Rothery, Head of BBC Popular Music TV said: “Following the fantastic, headline-grabbing Boybands Forever series from Louis Theroux and Nancy Strang at Mindhouse, the focus now turns to the stories of some of the UK’s most influential girl groups. Girlbands Forever promises a nostalgic trip through that time in pop music history, as well as an exploration into the truth of being a young woman thrust into the spotlight, the lived experiences and the lessons learnt.”

Louis Theroux, Executive Producer for Mindhouse, said: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of making this wonderful series. I well remember when the Spice Girls, Eternal and All Saints burst on the scene in the 90s. It was a special time in pop music and British culture generally. Then in their wake came a parade of girl bands, made up of girls who were all in different ways beautiful, talented and often very funny. Going back and rediscovering all that music and those videos and the interviews they did has been an absolute pleasure. There was pain behind the music, too, and as is so often the case there was price to be paid for that level of young fame. But mainly we wanted this to be a celebration of a time of very special music and talent.”

A broadcast date is yet to be confirmed.