All Saints future in doubt after series of rows

The future of All Saints is hanging on the outcome of talks held to soothe tempers within the group after a series of rows.

The quartet, who have had five number one hits during their four-year career, are reported to be close to going their separate ways.

With their latest single, All Hooked Up, due out on Monday and the girls set to start a UK tour in May, talks are being held in an effort to patch up their differences. A statement about the group's future was expected by 3pm but the time passed without any word.

All Saints formed in 1996 when sisters Natalie and Nicole Appleton got together with their old stage school friend Melanie Blatt, who had already been recording with Shaznay Lewis.

Their debut album spawned four top 10 hits including their first number one, Never Ever. They proved their enduring appeal last year when their hit Pure Shores, from the film The Beach, took the charts by storm.

In November, the girls were named best pop act at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Stockholm but the stresses and strains have been clear over recent months and the band have been reported to be close to splitting on a number of occasions.

Both Natalie and Melanie have daughters and in November Nicole announced that she was pregnant with Liam Gallagher's baby.

The latest row is reported to have arisen because the Appleton sisters no longer want to work with the other two members. A spokesman for the group said a statement was expected to be released either later today or tomorrow.