All Saints 'on ice'

All Saints: (l-r) Melanie, Shaznay, Natalie and Nicole during more harmonious times

The All Saints, whose public squabbles have fuelled rumours of a split, have announced that they are to put the band "on ice".

A group statement has said that the girls are taking a break "in order to clear the air between themselves" after their UK and European tour was cancelled.

The girls just need their own space for a while

Official statement

Stories about their imminent demise have been rife since band members Natalie Appleton and Shaznay Lewis allegedly fell out over a jacket at radio station Capital FM's Christmas concert.

Not the end

The statement confirmed that there was no chance of the four members working together in the immediate future, but added: "This does not by any means signal the end of the All Saints... The girls just need their own space for a while."

Nicole and Liam make their affection public

Recent reports have said that sisters Nicole and Natalie Appleton had fallen out with the other two band members.

Natalie told the Mirror newspaper in early February: "Being in a group is like being in a marriage, and right now we are going through a really rough time, but we will get through it."

But an unnamed insider was quoted in the press as saying: "The four can't even stand to be in the same room, so the thought of doing a large-scale tour abroad is just ridiculous."

New ventures

All Saints' last performance was at the World Sports Awards at the Royal Albert Hall, London, in January, where the British press reported that the girls insisted on two dressing rooms and different limousines.

The group members will continue to work on new ventures, with the Appleton sisters already recording new material together.

Nicole is expecting a baby with Oasis front man Liam Gallagher, and has lined up a Thelma and Louise-style road trip TV show with her sister and TV presenter Kate Thornton after the baby is born.

Shaznay has reportedly recorded a solo rap vocal for feted DJ and songwriter K-Gee, who co-wrote and produced the All Saints' 1997 debut album. She is also said to be working with Robbie Williams' songwriting partner, Guy Chambers.

All Saints have sold 10m albums across the globe in the last four years since their first number one single Never Ever catapulted them to stardom.