When the Sugababes returned to the fold earlier this year with the Gary Numan-sampling No.1 single, ‘Freak Like Me’, the casual observer could have been forgiven for assuming that the trio were a brand new act fresh from the pop production line. In fact, The ’Babes had first risen to prominence two years previously – an eternity on Planet Pop – with their hugely successful debut single, ‘Overload’.

However, the group then suffered a severe reversal in fortunes with the departure of original member Siobhan Donaghy, and an acrimonious parting of ways with their record company. With career-threatening upheavals a near-daily occurrence, did the band ever fear they were destined to be consigned to the one-hit wonder category?

“For me personally, I did have those thoughts going through my head,” admits Mutya Buena, co-founder of the band along with Keisha Buchanan. “I did think, ‘Are we going to carry on? Will we find a new label? Will we have to go back to school or find a new job?’ But because Keisha and myself have so much faith in the group, we really did want to continue and see where it would go. Obviously now we’re happy that we made the right choice, because we could have ended it at that point.”

Since then of course, things have come full circle for the group. Following the addition of Liverpudlian Heidi Range to the line-up, the Sugababes have stormed the charts with a brace of hit singles and the subsequent album, Angels With Dirty Faces. How difficult was it to accommodate a new member?

“It was a big change,” sighs Mutya. “Heidi’s from Liverpool, and Keisha and I are from London, so it took a while for us to get used to her likes and dislikes. But ultimately it’s been better for the group, because everybody learns more. We’ve learned from Heidi and she’s learned from us.”

Unusually for a chart act, the Sugababes’ original blend of urban genres such as hip-hop and UK garage has earned them approval from the critical fraternity since their inception, with publications like NME and The Face being notable early supporters. Is this implied credibility important to the group?

“Well, it is really shocking that a magazine like the NME has supported us,” says Mutya. “It’s amazing, we performed at V2002 on a quite indie/rock-oriented bill, and everybody seemed to be really into what we’re doing. I definitely think it’s an achievement for us to have that kind of audience listening to our music.”

Mutya shouldn’t be so surprised. In a pop landscape brimming over with hopelessly bland non-entities, the Sugababes are one of the few acts keeping it real.