Renegade reaches for S Club 7 singer Spearritt’s ‘inspirational’ memoir

Facing the Music, the memoir of S Club 7 singer and actress Hannah Spearritt, has been picked up by Renegade.

Joelle Owusu-Sekyere, editorial director, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights including audio from Jaine Brent of JJB Celebrity Management. Renegade will publish Facing the Music in hardback, e-book and audio on 5th October 2023.

The publisher says: “From S Club 7 popstar to Hollywood starlet, and back to pop stardom, Hannah Spearritt has been on the stage, screen and airwaves since her teens. As one seventh of an iconic pop band, Hannah has spent most of her life in the limelight and is now ready to lift the lid on the truth behind the decades-worth of headlines.

“In this memoir, which has been over a year in the making, Hannah will open up her life for the first time, revealing all on the realities of fame and the true story of S Club 7. From life on the road, friendships and fallouts to romances, finding love after breakups, mental health and motherhood, Hannah will reflect on life lessons and the experiences that have shaped her."

Spearritt shot to fame aged 17 when she joined pop group S Club 7. They recorded four studio albums, released 11 singles and went on to sell over 14 million albums worldwide. During a five-year reign, the group had four UK number one singles and a UK number one album.

During her time with the band, she won two BRIT Awards – in 2000 for British Breakthrough Act and in 2002 for Best British Single. In 2001, the group earned the Record of the Year award. After disbanding in 2003, Hannah moved into acting. She starred in “Primeval", where she portrayed the role of Abby Maitland, “EastEnders” and “Casualty”.

Owusu-Sekyere said of the acquisition: “It takes a lot of courage for someone like Hannah who has spent most of her life in the public eye to open up in the way that she has during this writing process. Hannah’s inspirational story will lay bare the struggles and pain that lay behind the glamour and success.”

Spearritt commented: “It’s good to be working with Renegade Books and to get the opportunity to discuss getting to grips with the often cut-throat nature of the media and entertainment industry.

“There will be stories that will shock people as I lift the lid on the pressures of growing up in the public eye, being in S Club 7, battling chronic illness, having kids, love, loss and other personal struggles I’ve overcome. I have certainly enjoyed the cathartic process of ‘bringing it all back’.”