Sugababe changes 'hard on Amelle'

The new Sugababes line up; Amelle Berrabah, Heidi Range and Jade Ewen

Sugababes' Heidi Range has said that recent line up changes in the band have taken their toll on Amelle Berrabah, who has been diagnosed with nervous exhaustion.

It was announced on the band's website that 25-year-old Amelle would be taking time out at a private clinic following the diagnosis.

Heidi told Newsbeat: "Things went on a few months ago within the group and that was really hard for Amelle. It's been a tough time for everyone but particularly for Amelle."

Keisha Buchanan, who was an original member of the group, left last month and was replaced by previous Eurovision act Jade Ewen.

Heidi said: "Obviously there's been a line up change in the group and that's something that we're really happy with. Jade's a lovely girl and she's really talented and that's all great.

"Prior to Jade joining us a lot of things happened and it's taken its toll on Amelle.

"She's been diagnosed by doctors with nervous exhaustion and has gone away to a clinic in Europe for a few weeks to get better."

Heidi said she hasn't seen Amelle recently but has spoken to her family and has been sending texts.

It's thought she'll be back at the beginning of November.

As for press speculation that the band were about to split or that Amelle was leaving the band, Heidi was keen to dismiss both.

'Not splitting'

She said: "I know I 100% want to be in the band, and Jade does and Amelle does and we all want the same thing, so we're definitely not splitting up.

"Amelle wants to be in the band more than ever. When she's feeling better we'll be cracking on."

Ex-band member Keisha and Heidi on stage during an earlier gig

Since the recent line up change, there were also reports that the girls had fallen out following a row at a photoshoot over who would stand in the middle, but Heidi says that was totally made up.

The singer says she's confident she has no regrets about recent changes made to the band.

"At the end of the day I've got nothing to hide," she added. "Through the whole line up change and everything else I know that… I made the right decision morally and I can live with a clear conscience."

Sugababes have had to cancel their first live performance together since the line up change.

Heidi and Jade will still be attending a meet and greet for fans at a scheduled performance in Leeds but they will not be appearing on a German TV show this weekend.

Despite recent contractual issues which halted an earlier gig at the Scottish Royal Variety Performance, Heidi confirmed that Sugababes would still continue to keep their name.

She says she hasn't seen former band member Keisha since the split but wished her well.