Who is Christel Lakhdar? Meet Eternal’s new bandmate as singer replacing Louise Redknapp and Kelle Bryan after row over trans rights

Eternal sisters Vernie and Easther Bennett have revealed their new bandmate after former members Louise Redknapp and Kelle Bryan left the group.

Vernie and Easther want to continue with the band’s reunion and have enlisted the help of new singer Christel Lakhdar.

In September 2023, Louise, 49, and Kelle, 48, pulled out of an Eternal reunion tour after Vernie and Easther refused to play any of the LBGTQ+ gigs they had planned amid claims the community is being ‘hijacked’ by the trans movement.

Who exactly is Christel Lakhdar? Read on below for everything you need to know about Eternal’s newest member.

Vernie and Easther want to continue with the band’s reunion and Christel is their secret weapon

Who is Christel Lakhdar?

Although she joined a pop group that enjoyed great success in the 1990s, Christel Lakhdar has had a relatively quiet career in comparison.

The singer-songwriter and actor has just over 2,400 followers on her Instagram account, with only three videos on her YouTube channel, one of which was a showreel uploaded in March 2018.

Speak with The mirrorChristel said: ‘I’ve been singing these songs ever since [I was] at a young age and feel like pinching myself as I take it all in.”

On New Year’s Day, Christel welcomed 2024 by outlining her goals for the year in a post on her Facebook page.

She wrote to her followers: ‘May this year be gentle, soothing and healing [and] full of laughter despite the storms (because there are always many)’.

“Be thankful for those who are happiest among us. Let us seize happiness’.

In another previous Facebook post on August 4, 2023, Christel revealed that she had not smoked in a year.

She wrote: ‘In the beginning there was chaos, as is often the case before profound transformations.

‘Smoking was just a symptom…And today I’m so damn proud of myself’.

The singer added that she was focused on ‘[rebuilding] on better foundations and [growing] with stronger roots.’

Eternal has returned with a new line-up of Christel, (left) Vernie Bennett, (top) and Easther Bennett, (right)

After planning an Eternal reunion last year with all four members, Vernie and her sister Easther had refused to play any of the LBGTQ+ gigs they had planned, claiming the community was being “hijacked” by the transmovement.

Shortly afterwards, Louise was accused of trying to get her former bandmates canceled by ‘misrepresenting’ their views.

Still, in a telling statement, Louise said: “I had always wanted to do a reunion with the girls. I have a lot of love for what we did together and me and Kelle are still the best of friends.”

Standing by her friend, Kelle added of her time in the band, “It changed my life. Obviously the music and the fans are so important.’

Although she joined a pop group that enjoyed great success in the 1990s, Christel has had a relatively quiet career in comparison.

Forever sisters Vernie and Easther were dumped by former members Louise and Kelle (L-R: Kelle, Easther, Louise and Vernie pictured in 1997)

Louise and Kelle have remained good friends (Louise, left, and Kelle, right, pictured last September)

Louise has performed solo at many Pride events over the years (pictured at Brighton Pride in August)