Steps 'fed up with being seen as a joke'

Steps are reported to have split because they were fed up with being regarded as a joke.

The band were frequently snubbed by music awards despite selling 12 million records.

The five-piece have called it a day to get more respect from the music industry, according to reports today.

Pete Waterman, who helped create the band, paid tribute to Lee, Lisa, Claire, Faye and H.

"Steps are the hardest-working band I've known. They were great entertainers," he said.

"Everybody knocked it - but sooner or later copied it. At the end of the day, they were great at what they did."