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BANANARAMA sold 40million records and had an image that defined the 80s.

Now, 29 years after their last gig, I can exclusively reveal the original trio are to reunite, taking to the stage again in a huge pop comeback.

KEREN WOODWARD, SARA DALLIN and SIOBHAN FAHEY last performed at the Brit Awards in 1988 after six years at the top of the music game, before petty squabbles and in-fighting drove Siobhan to quit and form rival chart act SHAKESPEARS SISTER.

But the trio have put their differences behind them to launch a UK tour, with tickets going on sale this week, and have hopes to take the show further afield.

The reunion has been kept top secret for weeks, but in an exclusive interview they told how they are thrilled to be back together, although there are plenty of nerves too.

Sara said: “We first had a chat about it over Christmas and before we knew it the whole thing snowballed. Keren and I called Siobhan to chat about it and things went from there.”

Siobhan added: “By the time I managed to come over to talk about it, somehow it had become a done deal, the dates had been scheduled and we had a photoshoot arranged.

“It’s pretty nerve wracking for me, it was 29 years ago that I left so I’m rusty to say the least.

“I didn’t say ‘yes’ immediately, I was in complete shock but my heart felt a sense of absolute joy and I just felt it was the right time in my life.

“Emotionally it felt like something I needed to revisit, to go back to my roots and that time with my best friends.

“We’re going to go back and celebrate that extraordinary life we led together in our twenties.”

The band had blistering chart success, with ten singles reaching the UK top ten, including Cruel Summer, Venus, Love In The First Degree and Robert De Niro’s Waiting.

They also starred in the original Band Aid line-up for charity record Do They Know It’s Christmas in 1984.

And while the homemade outfits, pairing dungarees, cropped jackets and huge hair may be gone, I’m assured the hits that made them global superstars will still be there.

Keren explained: “In some ways it feels like a lifetime ago, but in others it feels like only yesterday. Our first rehearsal together is this week.

“It will be a celebration of the years we were together, rather than us trying to do new music.

"It’s when we had all our biggest hits and really had a lot of fun. We’ve still got time to plan the tour because it doesn’t launch until November but we’ve had a few early discussions and know that we’re going to be doing all of the greatest hits and more. We haven’t quite decided what that ‘more’ is going to be, yet – but it’s exciting.”

The band are signed with music supremo Peter Loraine, whose Fascination Records label has been home to GIRLS ALOUD, THE SATURDAYS and STEPS, so they’re in safe hands.

Tickets for their UK tour go on sale this Wednesday, available from aegpresents.co.uk.

Bananarama are one of the ultimate British 80s act, with iconic and enduring hits, so this reunion is going to be huge.

Welcome back.

READ ON FOR MORE OF DAN WOOTTON'S BIZARRE COLUMN

Rita has no hang ups

RITA ORA does her best LADY GAGA impression, posing with a telephone.

The singer paid her tribute on Instagram in the bizarre black netted clobber and hat.

Referencing Gaga’s track Telephone, she wrote with the snap, left: “Hello hello baby you called I can’t hear a thing.”

But she could be trying to be inconspicuous, hiding her face with the hat.

It comes after The Sun on Sunday revealed Rita was targeted by MEL B and her husband, Stephen Belafonte, for a potential threesome.

Shame we can’t see Rita’s reaction.

BIZ BIT

ALESHA DIXON is keen to showcase new material on Britain’s Got Talent.

The show judge said: “I am working on a new EP.  I hope Simon will let me perform it on BGT. He let me the last time I asked.”

Liam working on little gem

DUST off your parkas and get ready to go mad fer it, LIAM GALLAGHER’s comeback is well and truly underway.

I can reveal the former OASIS frontman has now completed his first album with a raft of new songs as he prepares to launch his solo career. But one of the tracks may raise eyebrows on his brother NOEL.

Among the 12 on the collection are Greedy Soul, Soft Soap, All I Need, All My People, Anything’s Possible, Bold and Eh La.

Those keeping an eye on the Mancunian’s beef with Noel will be quick to spot Never Wanna Be Like You among them.

The track is thought to be a vicious takedown of his older brother, who appears to have just recruited Liam’s ex BEADY EYE bandmate GEM ARCHER for NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS.

Rumours emerged last week that guitarist Gem has signed up with Noel’s group, having previously performed with them as a stand-in two years ago – though the band’s management are staying oddly tight-lipped about the appointment.

Fans keen for Liam’s explosive return won’t have to wait long, as insiders say Warner is keen to get his first single out before the summer.

Liam, left, is due to perform at the Leeds and Reading Festivals along with a host of other shows across Europe as he reacquaints himself with life on the road as a snarling, swaggering frontman.

It’ll be like he was never away

BIZ BIT

DRAKE has denied Instagram model Layla Lace’s claim he got her pregnant after flying her to meet him in London.

The story has since gone from her social media and the singer’s team  reckon she said it for attention.

How Kath got lord so awed

AFTER KATHERINE JENKINS left LORD LLOYD-WEBBER starstruck by her performance in West End musical Carousel it’s no wonder she looked glowing in this classy red dress on Saturday.

The Welsh star, who plays Julie Jordan, posed for fans’ snaps outside the London Coliseum.

It came days after I revealed he sent her a gushing email calling her the “perfect lead”, sounding her out for a future musical.

Previously at the Olivier Awards he called London’s musical scene “not great” – so at least Katherine has managed to change his mind.

Amber back in Towie mix

LET’S hope JESY NELSON missed last night’s episode of Towie.

The LITTLE MIX singer’s fears came true as her ex-boyfriend CHRIS CLARK was reunited on screen with his former lover AMBER DOWDING.

The pair, who split last autumn, came face to face as Chris visited Amber following her stay in hospital with a mystery illness.

They sparked new relationship rumours with fans as they cosied up on the sofa just days after Chris dumped Jesy out of the blue via text.

It came after I revealed Jesy’s friends feared Chris may have used her fame to boost his profile and his plans to get back with Amber as a storyline for the reality show.

And after Amber had barely featured in the current ITVBe series, her screen time was increased last night following her on-again romance.

She was seen in several scenes, including joining GEORGIA KOUSOULOU to celebrate CHLOE SIMS’ daughter’s 12th birthday.

Amber will also appear in next week’s finale.

Jesy is better off without the drama.

MOST READ IN BIZARRE

Katy Kardashian

KEEPING Up With The Kardashians was only ever supposed to be a reality show title.

But KATY PERRY seems to have taken it literally, shamelessly copying KIM KARDASHIAN’s hairstyle on Instagram.

In snaps uploaded to her account on Friday, the California Gurl singer posed in this pink latex bodysuit and new peroxide boxer braids identical to the ones popularised by the reality star last year.

And Katy was quick to hold her hands up, writing: “Katy Kardashian.”

It’s not the first time Katy has shown her appreciation for a member of the famous family.

In 2015 she gushed: “Listen, KRIS JENNER is very important to me. That is not sarcastic at all.

"She has a great sense of humor and she’s kind of like the mother of everyone.”

If she starts stalking them at least she’ll be easy to spot.

BIZ BIT

FILM-MAKER JAMES CAMERON has announced dates for four sequels to 2009’s Avatar, the highest- grossing movie of all time.

Avatar 2 is due in 2020, with  the rest to hit the screen between 2021 and 2025.

BIZMETER: DAN'S DIARY

Monday

MARVEL superheroes descend on London  for the premiere of Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2. CHRIS PRATT, KAREN GILLAN, KURT RUSSELL and the rest of the cast are set to be at the Hammersmith Apollo screening.

Wednesday

FANS of Strictly’s GIOVANNI PERNICE get to see the Italian stallion prancing in the flesh. He kicks off his debut UK tour at Coventry’s Albany Theatre, performing dances from the hit TV show. I hope he asks for volunteers from the audience.

Friday

ED SHEERAN, HARRY STYLES and KENDRICK LAMAR have all released new music recently but if you’re still stuck for tunes,  GORILLAZ put out the long-awaited Humanz, while MARY J BLIGE’s 13th album, Strength Of A Woman is also available.

Saturday

AFTER last year’s sold-out tour, BOYZLIFE are back on the road. The dashing duo –  BOYZONE heart-throb KEITH DUFFY and former WESTLIFE man BRIAN McFADDEN play the Hilton London Metropole Hotel for the first of four dates.

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