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THEY shot to fame on the 2001 series Popstars, and now Liberty X are celebrating 20 years since they first got together.

The band, comprised of Michelle Heaton, Jessica Taylor, Kelli Young, Tony Lundon, and Kevin Simm, were runners up to competition winning band, Hear'Say.

Liberty X shot to fame on Popstars reality TV show in 2001
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Liberty X shot to fame on Popstars reality TV show in 2001Credit: Rex

The Brit Award winning group, who scoooped two gongs for their music at the prestigious awards bash, were often praised for their edgier sound.

They enjoyed seven top 10 singles from 2001 until 2005 including Just A Little and Thinking It Over.

Fans were devastated when they split in 2007, but they remained close and reformed for the odd reunion gigs over the years.

Here we take a look at their colourful lives since they first burst onto the scene.

Michelle Heaton

Michelle has starred in Celebrity Big Brother
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Michelle has starred in Celebrity Big BrotherCredit: Instagram

Michelle Heaton ,41, was born in Gateshead in 1979, and is probably the most famous of the band, appearing in Celebrity Big Brother in 2009, and The Big Reunion in 2013.

She married singer Andy Scott-Lee, brother of Steps singer Lisa Scott Lee, in October 2006, but the couple split in June 2008.

They divorced and while living out in Ireland, she met and fell for fitness guru and businessman Hugh Hanley.

The couple got married in the Bahamas in July 2010, and in January 2012, she gave birth to their first child Faith Michelle Hanley. She became pregnant again in 2013 and gave birth to a baby boy Aaron Jay Hanley in February 2014.

She also did The Real Full Monty to raise awareness of cancer
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She also did The Real Full Monty to raise awareness of cancerCredit: Rex Features

In 2012, Heaton was diagnosed with a mutated BRCA2 gene and then found out that she had an 80% chance of developing breast cancer and a 30% chance of developing ovarian cancer. She underwent a double mastectomy and had breast reconstructive surgery in November 2012.

In 2015 she also underwent a complete hysterectomy and oophorectomy to reduce her risk of developing ovarian cancer, and has spoken openly of having early menopause as a result.

In 2018, Michelle signed up to be part of the star-studded female line-up on The Real Full Monty to raise awareness of cancer.

Jessica Taylor

Jessica is a glam mum-of-two
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Jessica is a glam mum-of-twoCredit: Instagram
She married famous cricketer Kevin Pieterson
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She married famous cricketer Kevin PietersonCredit: Instagram

Jessica,40, from Preston, married cricketer Kevin Pieterson in 2007.

The couple have since welcomed two children.

Since quitting Liberty X, she has starred in a few reality TV shows including Dancing on Ice in 2009, where she came third.

She has also appeared on various TV shows, including Hole In The Wall, The Chase and The Weakest Link.

Kelli Young

Kelli
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KelliCredit: Twitter
Copyright: Twitter
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Kelli reformed with Liberty X in 2013

Kelli, 38, from Derby, married Triple 8 singer Iain James.

The couple have twin sons that were born in 2012.

Kelli, whose been on Loose Women a few times, starred in the ITV show Britain Sings Christmas in 2007, performing Mariah's classic All I Want For Christmas Is You.

She then reunited with Liberty X, along with other pop groups of their time such as B*Witched, Five and Atomic Kitten, would reunite for an ITV2 series called The Big Reunion in 2013.

Kevin Simm

Kevin Simm (Liberty X, The Voice UK winner and now Wet Wet Wet lead singer) talking about the impact of baldness on male mental health and his hair transplant as part of new research we’ve conducte...
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Kevin starred in The Voice
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Kevin Simm attends the Fragrance Foundation Awards at The Brewery on May 12, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/WireImage)  Copyright: Getty - Contributor
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His music was also big in Japan
Kevin Simm and wife Laura, , TAKJEN WITH NO PERMISSION, http://www.instagram.com/kevinsimm/?hl=en  Copyright: kevinsimm/Instagram
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He is married to Laura Simm

Kevin, 40, from Chorley, became a wedding photographer after Liberty X split.

Luckily he had a second stab at fame when he went on The Voice.

The singer won the competition and was mentored by Ricky Wilson.

Kevin released his album, called Recover, and is still releasing music today.

He married Laura in 2008, and they have sons Oliver and Charlie.

 Tony Lundon

Tony started his own production company
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Tony started his own production companyCredit: Twitter

Tony, 41, from Galway, was inundated with offers after the band split.

He hosed the quiz show TOAST in Ireland.

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In 2010, Tony made a big career change and moved to New York to study film, before going on to found his own production company.

He now helps other celebs, like Made In Chelsea's Jamie Laing, with their YouTube channels

The Voice: Ex-Liberty X star Kevin Simm nails 'Chandelier'
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