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