Down but not out

Bellefire have dismissed reports that they're breaking up after being dropped by their record company.

The quartet found out that their services were no longer required courtesy of The Sun.

"They were actually on their way over to do Top Of The Pops when somebody pointed the article out to them," says a spokesperson.

"The timing and the way they heard the news is what upset them, not the dropping itself because they weren't happy with the way Virgin had been promoting them in the UK.

"In fact, Louis (Walsh) and John (Reynolds) had already opened negotiations with a number of other labels, which have now intensified. They're also talking to Virgin with regards to getting the album they have ready to go back.

"The group certainly aren't splitting up."

Although their UK success has been modest, Bellefire are household names in Japan, and fast establishing a profile in the rest of the Far East.