EXCLUSIVE Steps star Ian H Watkins admits the band were 'exhausted' and 'treated like puppets' at the height of their fame but reveals why the five piece DIDN'T fall victim to the pop band curse
They rose to the top of the charts with their hits Tragedy and Stomp and since forming in 1997 Steps have proved themselves as an unstoppable force.
The five piece made up of Lee Latchford-Evans, Claire Richards, Lisa Scott-Lee, Faye Tozer and Ian H Watkins, have sold over 22 million records worldwide and almost 30 years on still have a huge following.
After originally disbanding in 2001, Steps reunited 10 years later in 2011 and most recently have even collaborated on Here & Now: The Steps Musical as they continue to extend their legacy.
However, while many 90s and noughties pop bands are now speaking out about the toxicity of the industry and lack of artist control, Ian has revealed how the five piece managed to remain 'very much in charge'.
Yet there is no denying life in the spotlight isn't all glitz and glamour, and speaking exclusively to MailOnline Ian admitted they were 'exhausted' and 'treated at puppets' at the height of their fame.
With more and more popstars breaking their silence on the price of fame, the Welsh singer confessed: 'I think that all of our stories are very similar.
'Back in the day we were worked, oh my God, we were so tired. We all have a very similar tale to tell.
'We would all meet up in this massive communal dressing room in like the Smash Hits Poll party or we'd see each other at Top Of The Pops or SNTV and we were all exhausted.
'There was no aftercare in place, there was no mental health, no teams involved and we were just treated as puppets.'
Back in January, Boyzone member Mikey Graham opened up about escaping the 'toxic environment' of fame as he admitted he 'just wanted out' and now lives in a nomadic existence in rural Ireland.
Meanwhile Robbie Williams has also admitted he never felt his 'place within Take That was safe' and even Zayn Malik has said he 'never really wanted to be in One Direction'.
Elsewhere John Hendy revealed that when East 17 were formed they were signed on a million pound record deal but their late manager Tom Watkins only paid them a wage of £125 a week - raised by £25 every four months.
However Ian explained that unlike their peers, Steps managed to maintain control in the ever demanding industry as he insisted 'we were very much in charge'.
'We learned very very quickly that we could take control of the way we were treated,' Ian said.
He joked: 'We took this beast, this monster that nobody could stop and I'm sure all the cool cats they were like, f*****g hell Steps they keep coming back' (pictured in 2022)
'A lot of our peers, they were a lot younger than us, so they didn't realise that they could actually have a voice, and we were very much in charge from very early on.
'For example financials, we knew exactly what was coming in and going out. How much video was costing, how much a car would cost, how much a makeup artist would be for the day, how much a a costume budget would be, and that's why we did well because we looked after ourselves.'
Explaining how their one-single contract worked to their advantage he added: 'Whereas a lot of our peers they were signed on multi-million pound deals with five albums, we were signed on a one single deal and nobody really realised that we had a life after that.
'We took this beast, this monster that nobody could stop and I'm sure all the cool cats they were like, f*****g hell Steps they keep coming back.
'Whereas they were trying to launch cool artists and they would flop, but thanks to our fans and the public we continue to have Number One albums and Number One singles nearly 30 years on.
'We are this monster that the cool cats can't stop.'
Teasing the potential for a 30 year anniversary tour to celebrate the big birthday in 2027 he confessed 'we are talking'.
'I know not many bands get to celebrate that with their original line-up for all different reasons so we are very lucky.
'We've always said if it's not the five of us then we don't do it. Because we don't want to. We're very protective over Steps.
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