Sugababes crown girl group list

Only Keisha Buchanan (right) remains of the original Sugababes

The Sugababes are the most successful UK all-female act of the 21st century, according to new figures.

Since their chart debut in 2000, they have enjoyed 16 hits, beating the likes of Madonna and Britney Spears.

The trio first made UK chart history in 2002 when, with Freak Like Me, they became the youngest female group to top the chart.

David Roberts, editor of British Hit Singles And Albums, said Britain had a tradition of great girl groups.

Replaced

He said: "Bananarama dominated the Eighties, the Spice Girls were huge in the Nineties, but the Noughties belong to the Sugababes."

The band began as Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena and Siobhan Donaghy before Donaghy quit in 2001.

21st Century Success 1 - Sugababes (16 hits) 2 - Britney Spears (14 hits) 3 - Pink (14 hits) 4 - Anastasia (13 hits) 5 - Madonna (12 hits)

She was replaced by Heidi Range, but the band changed again last December when Buena left and was replaced by Amelle Berrabah.

At the time Freak Like Me went to number one four years ago, Buchanan was 17, Buena 16, and Range 18.

A hit is defined by the book of British Hit Singles And Albums as a track which charts in the top 75.