01 November 1996
Jo O’Meara featured in ‘7 Seconds’ with uncredited vocals
Jo O’Meara is prominently featured in the song “7 Seconds” by No Mans Land without receiving credit for her vocals. The song was prominent in Germany where the song peaked at #20 in the German Singles Chart.
07 November 1997
Spice Girls fire Simon Fuller as Manager
In November 1997, the Spice Girls famously fired their manager Simon Fuller. This decision spawned the idea of S Club 7. In a 2014 interview Fuller was quoted saying: “I think the fact the Spice Girls could wake up and decide they didn’t want to work with me anymore wasn’t great, so I wanted to build my next project that couldn’t disband and breakup and it was mine” (source)
18 November 1997
Jon Lee makes acting debut in EastEnders
Between 18 November 1997 through 30 April 1998 Jon appeared as a regular in the popular BBC show ‘EastEnders’ as Joshua Saunders. Though he did not appear, his character was mentioned in an episode dated 15 July 2025.
21 July 1998
Jo O’Meara as part of 2-4 Family release “Stay”
For a brief period in 1998, Jo O’Meara was in the German group 2-4 Family, where they released the song “Stay”. The track peaked at #11 in the German Singles Chart.
23 September 1998
Hannah Spearritt stars in ‘The Carter Street Hangman’
Hannah Spearritt makes her acting debut in the made for television film “The Carter Street Hangman” based off the 1979 novel of the same title. The film premiered on ITV in the United Kingdom on 23 September 1998 and on A&E on 18 December 1998 in the United States.
30 November 1998
2-4 Family Release Christmas Remix of “Stay” minus Jo
For unknown reasons, between the original release of “Stay” and the Christmas remix, Jo O’Meara left 2-4 Family and was replaced with another singer by the name of “Miss Jo”. While O’Meara’s picture and vocals remain on this release, she was no longer with the band at the time of its release. With this release, the song remained in the German Singles chart through 29 January 1999.
Late 1998
S Club 7
After recording as a five piece a variety of cover songs (to include “I Want Candy” — which remains unreleased — and “Tie A Yellow Ribbon”). Two additional members were selected to join, Jo O’Meara and Bradley McIntosh. They rounded out the band and it was rebranded as S Club 7.
January – March 1999
Album Recording & TV Show Filming
With two actors amongst the bunch, Jon and Hannah were use to the glamorous lifestyle of the camera. Majority of the bands album was filmed in late 1998, and written into the show “Miami 7” (or “S Club 7 in Miami”). Many of these songs appear in the show in a demo format and differ from later official releases.
08 April 1999
“Miami 7” premieres in The United Kingdom
Immediately upon wrapping filming, and returning to the UK, the first episode of Miami 7 had aired on BBC.
07 June 1999
“Bring It All Back” releases in the United Kingdom
Following the massive success of the series, S Club 7 released their debut single “Bring It All Back” in the United Kingdom. The track peaked at #1 in the UK singles chart and became the 11th best selling song in the UK for 1999.
18 September 1999
Back To The 50’s
Following the conclusion of Miami 7 airing in the United Kingdom, S Club 7 aired a television special “Back To The 50’s” which was filmed to assist in promoting their follow-up single “S Club Party”.
20 September 1999
“S Club Party” Released in the UK
S Club 7 released their follow-up single “S Club Party”. The track peaked at #2 in the UK singles chart and became the 66th best selling single in 1999.
04 October 1999
Self-Titled Debut Album Released
Featuring updated tracks from their television series ‘Miami 7’, S Club released their debut album which peaked at #2 in the UK albums charts and became the 22nd best selling album of 1999.
06 November 1999
“S Club 7 in Miami” Airs in the United States
The first two episodes of ‘S Club 7 in Miami’ aired on this date in the United States on Fox Family.
08 November 1999
“Dancing Queen” is released on AbbaMania compliation
A compilation album of popular artists covering Abba songs was released. S Club 7’s cover of “Dancing Queen” (as performed in Miami 7″) is featured on this project.
22 November 1999
“It’s An S Club Thing” VHS released
A behind the scenes look at S Club was released on VHS on this date. The project features exclusive interviews, and performances.
30 November 1999
“The Two of Us” released on Stuart Little Original Soundtrack
In their first North American musical release, S Club are featured on the soundtrack of Stuart Little with “The Two of Us” and is often a forgotten song by the band.
12 December 1999
“Boyfriends and Birthdays” Airs in the UK
Ahead of their double a-side single “Two In A Million” / “You’re My Number One”, S Club released a television special titled “Boyfriends and Birthdays”. This storyline follows the bands trip to Los Angeles.
13 December 1999
“Two In A Million” / “You’re My Number One” released
As the final single from their debut album S Club released “Two In A Million” and “You’re My Number One”, the track peaked at #2 in the UK singles chart and was the 83rd best selling UK single of 1999 and the 167th best selling single of 2000.