ABBA secretly reunite to film for their 50th anniversary hologram tour in 2022
IT is the most secretive reunion in pop history – but the return of ABBA is one step closer. I can reveal Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad got back together to film at Ealing Studios in West London to work on content for their groundbreaking hologram tour. Instead of hitting the […]
IT is the most secretive reunion in pop history – but the return of ABBA is one step closer.
I can reveal Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad got back together to film at Ealing Studios in West London to work on content for their groundbreaking hologram tour.
Instead of hitting the road themselves — despite being offered $1billion to do so — they are sending out the interactive show, which will earn each of them £3million.
And the visit to Britain was a big step towards the show, which is due to launch in 2022 and will celebrate their 50th anniversary.
A music insider said: “ABBA have kept everything about their reunion shrouded in mystery but this has really been a long time coming.
“They announced the tour in 2016 and although it’s been a slog to get to this point, it is now full steam ahead and the show is taking shape.
“Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Frida have all recorded bits and pieces and they have enjoyed taking a trip down memory lane with it all.
“They are all getting a nice cheque out of it, so it will be worthwhile, but they’ve got more than enough money from their music, so it’s not about that.
“All four of them just wanted to give back to their fans, so they have done everything in their power to fly into London for the filming, despite the travel restrictions.”
The show will feature five new songs from the Swedish pop legends which are expected to be released next year — 38 years after their last UK single, Under Attack. Despite it being almost four decades since they split, the group’s musical legacy is still alive and well.
Their greatest hits album, ABBA Gold, has now spent an eye-watering 959 weeks in the charts and this week is still at No22.
This new show sounds a bit out there, but given the number of hits ABBA have, it will be well worth the wait.
Jessie: Grab your Chan-ce
JESSIE J and Channing Tatum’s relationship has had more ups and downs than a ride at Alton Towers.
But her tumultuous love life with the actor has inspired her sixth album, most notably a new song expected to be called Simply Be In Love.
On the track, Jessie suggests the reason for their several splits has been because they raced into their relationship too quickly.
She sings: “You’re always dreaming about tomorrow, and I’m still overthinking yesterday.
“Where you go I know I want to follow, let’s make a promise on today.
“Take it slow, baby steps, so we don’t ruin what comes next. Just be still, just stay calm, so we’re not rushing what we are. Pressure off, just have fun, it’s not a race, no need to run. If it’s for ever, let’s just simply be in love.”
On an Instagram Live, she said: “I wrote this song about when you first meet someone and you want to steam ahead.
“Sometimes running can ruin a foundation that a relationship needs, which is to just be chill, stay still and enjoy the moment.”
The Price Tag singer got together with Hollywood hunk Channing at the end of 2018 before splitting a year later, getting back together, then separating again.
I can’t keep up on whether they’re still a couple. If not, perhaps this lovey-dovey ballad will tempt him back.
bizbit
GLOBAL pop group Now United have been joined by their 16th member, Nour Ardakani, from Lebanon. She will join the band to record new music and film a video in Dubai this week to follow their hit single Feel It Now.
George’s name-crawler
GEORGE Ezra may have spent too much time alone in his London flat – he’s convinced a spider has been hurling insults at him.
He said on his Phone A Friend podcast: “A spider the size of my palm crawled out from my T-shirt and instantly I realised I’m never going on I’m A Celebrity.
“Because it was quiet, I heard him go, F***, who sets their alarm for half past six?’ He was grumbling about my alarm going off.”
“I knew, tread lightly George, because you’ve already p***ed him off and you don’t know what he’s capable of. And then I heard him say, ‘Two legged freak’.”
It’s not the spider, it’s George who sounds like he needs more sleep.
Ashley’s the cat in the cream
ASHLEY Roberts took the plunge in a cream dress as she headed home after her morning shift on Heart FM.
The Pussycat Dolls star teamed the ruffled outfit with a white handbag and sunglasses.
Ashley is due to go on tour with the group next year, after they were forced to reschedule their dates planned for the spring.
Despite her disappointment, she has been keeping her hand in by teaching fans the group’s iconic routines in her spare time.
She won’t miss a step when they hit the road in 2021.
bizmeter
- AVA Max is leading the race for No1 with her debut album Heaven & Hell. The Sweet But Psycho singer’s record is 1,700 copies ahead of prog rock supergroup Nick Mason’s Saucerful Of Secrets Live At The Roundhouse.
- THE Spice Girls are re-releasing their final album Forever on vinyl for the first time for its 20th anniversary. Featuring singles Holler and Let Love Lead The Way, it will be on sale from November 20 alongside four collectable art prints.
- EDDIE Redmayne is back filming the third movie in the Fantastic Beasts franchise after production was paused last year due to coronavirus. He said: “It’s interesting We are two weeks in and it’s a whole new process, a whole new normal. Testing frequently, masks.”
- DOJA Cat has dismissed rumours she has teamed up with Nicki Minaj for a tune but revealed that another one with Ariana Grande is complete. She said on Twitter: “The DNA (Doja, Nicki, Ariana) collab is a rumour. However, the Ari and Doja collab exists.”
Cardi A perfect fit
RISING star Anitta says she chose Cardi B to duet with her on her new tune Me Gusta because she symbolised all the song stood for.
Talking about the track, which also features Myke Towers, the Brazilian singer said: “It’s about powerful women. It talks about how I love women who are themselves, who dance and do whatever they want to do.
“It’s a mix of people too – one from the US, another from the Latin world and another from Brazil, so it’s a big cultural mix.
“The video has a very big message behind it.”
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Pretty Little Earner
SHE has become a TikTok sensation with her boyfriend Jason Derulo, but Jena Frumes is going back to her roots.
The model has signed a five-figure deal to become an ambassador for fashion company PrettyLittleThing alongside Love Island’s Molly-Mae Hague and actress Malika Haqq.
To celebrate, Jena shared this snap in a colourful dress, writing: “First time wearing something nice for a while, yay or nay?” It was a definite yay for US pop star Jason, left with Jena, who moved her in with him during lockdown after dating for just a few weeks.
Today was both their birthdays – and landing this deal is certainly a good way to celebrate.
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