Stacey Franks (née McClean, born 17 February 1989) is an English pop singer. She was part of the S Club 7 spin-off band, S Club 8 and in 2009 took part in the sixth series of The X Factor.

Stacey McClean
Stacey McClean in 2018
Background information
Birth nameStacey McClean
Born (1989-02-17) 17 February 1989 (age 35)
Bispham, Blackpool, England
OriginLancashire, England
GenresPop, R&B[1]
OccupationSinger
Years active2001–Present
LabelsPolydor (2001–2005)

Career

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2001–05: S Club Juniors

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McClean was born in Bispham, Blackpool, Lancashire. In 2001, aged 12, she auditioned for the children’s pop group S Club Juniors, and won a place. Whilst in the group, Stacey, along with her bandmate Rochelle Humes, usually wore her hair in her naturally curly style.[2] In 2002 the group released four singles, one album, and guest starred in Viva S Club.

After S Club split up in 2003, 19 Entertainment decided to keep S Club Juniors going, so they were renamed S Club 8 and released a further three songs and a second album. In 2004, McClean, along with the other members of S Club 8, appeared in the children's musical television comedy I Dream, which was filmed in Spain. The programme lasted for thirteen episodes, from 22 September to 13 December 2004, and was broadcast on BBC One. S Club 8 disbanded in 2005.

2009: The X Factor

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In 2009, McClean auditioned for The X Factor in Manchester, singing the Christina Aguilera song "Ain't No Other Man". Her audition was shown on the 100th episode of the show, screened on 19 September 2009. She made it through to boot camp, then after the first task of singing with other acts she made it into the top 50 acts, where she had to sing a solo performance to reach the final 24.

She made the final 24, and along with five others was placed in the Girls (16–24) category, in which her mentor was Dannii Minogue assisted by her sister, Kylie. In the final audition, held at Atlantis, The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, McClean sang the Britney Spears song "Sometimes", but was eliminated before the live shows.[3]

2010–present: Recent work

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In 2010, McClean took up a post as a receptionist at the UK radio station talkSPORT. She continues to pursue her singing career in her spare time.

In December 2010, McClean began a 6-month tour of the UK as one of the stars of G*Mania an all singing all dancing stage production.[4]

In late 2012, McClean, alongside former colleagues, Daisy Evans, Aaron Renfree, and Jay Asforis announced via Twitter that they would be reforming as S Club Juniors. The group's first performance took place on 14 January 2013 at Essex Students Union. They also made the decision to create an official "S Club Juniors" band on Twitter, @SCJOfficial. However, the reunion was short-lived and disbanded following a lack of support from the public.

In December 2021, McClean joined S Club Allstars replacing former S Club 7 member Jo O'Meara.[5]

Personal life

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McClean attended Beacon Hill High School in Blackpool. She worked as an Admin manager at 106.5 Central Radio in Lancashire whilst co-hosting the breakfast show, but has since left. She lives in London. She is a quarter Nigerian in her ethnicity.[2] Stacey was previously married to former footballer Fraser Franks.[6] She gave birth to their daughter in 2019.[7]In 2023, McClean announced her separation from Franks.[8] In 2024, when talking about the rehoming of her dog, she confirmed her divorce.[9]She still uses her married name on social media.[10]

Discography

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Media appearances

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Television

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Year TV Show Role Notes
2001 S Club Search Contestant
2002 S Club Juniors: The Story Herself
Viva S Club
Smash Hits Poll Winners Party
2002–2003 Top of the Pops with S Club 8 Five appearances
2004 I Dream Herself
Smile Two episodes
2009 The X Factor Contestant
2012 Never Mind the Buzzcocks Line-up Contestant

Radio

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Year Show Role Notes
2010 The Late Show with Ian Collins Herself

References

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  1. ^ "S Club Juniors star attempts 'X Factor'". Digital Spy. 7 July 2009.
  2. ^ a b Ettridge, Lisa (28 September 2009). "X Factor Stacey is flying the Blackpool flag". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 28 September 2009.
  3. ^ Steel, Helen (4 October 2009). "Blackpool singing star exits X Factor". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
  4. ^ G*Mania Archived 8 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "I've got some news! I'm joining @realtinab1 & @BradleyMcIntosh to bring you #SclubAllstars". 25 November 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  6. ^ "Fraser Franks: Newport defender retires because of heart problem". 21 March 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  7. ^ "Baby joy for retired Newport County AFC player Fraser Franks and wife Stacey". South Wales Argus. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  8. ^ "S Club star splits from husband and daughter is 'only thing that matters'". Daily Mirror. 24 November 2023.
  9. ^ "Instagram".
  10. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
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