TKO band member Joanne Leeton has sensationally quit the group ahead of its tour with pop sensation Steps.
The 18-year-old is reported to have told the band she was fed up with touring the country.
Her decision stunned her ex-colleagues Katie White and Emma Lally, both also 18, who have until now made a big play of the trio's closeness to each other.
But with the world of pop being traditionally fickle, a replacement for Joanne has already been found - a 21-year-old Butlins redcoat from Bournemouth.
The new girl, Katy Malloy - affectionately known as Dizzy - has been rehearsing the band's dance moves and songs.
She was spotted by the TKO's manager, David White, after showing a lot of interest in the group's music during a recent Butlins gig.
The attractive blonde told her enthusiastic bosses about the approach and she was immediately released from her Redcoat duties.
She said: "This is a dream for me and we are definitely going to make it to the top. I'll miss Butlins a bit but this is a whole new beginning for me and I'm looking forward to it all."
The move means TKO is not now a 100 per cent Leigh-based band but the remaining two original members are adamant it will not make a difference.
Mr White said: "This is a new start for the band, working from a solid platform.
"The split was very amicable. Nobody wanted to force Joanne to stay if her heart wasn't in it."
TKO have enjoyed modest success since they formed just over a year ago.
The band sold more than 5,000 copies of their debut single, 'Girlfriend', over the Internet last month.
And Sony are continuing to show a keen interest.
Their success has been made possible by Mr White, who has financially backed TKO via his record company, November Management. He has sunk more than £130,000 in the group so far, using money he won on the National Lottery five years ago.
The trio have since experienced the high-life pop stars enjoy, following appearances alongside chart acts such as A1, Atomic Kitten, Scooch and Northern Line.
Their debut single is being sold on website: www.wannabeas.com
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