Rachel Stevens plots pop comeback

Rachel Stevens has confirmed rumours that she is plotting a pop comeback.

The former S Club 7 star, who has been absent from the charts for more than four years, revealed her plans while wishing fans on her messageboard a merry Christmas.

"Some of you may have read in a couple of the papers that I'm getting back into music," she wrote. "It's very early stages at the moment but I'm going into the studio in the New Year... all very exciting! I'll keep you all posted with what's going on."

Stevens, 31, launched a solo career after S Club 7 disbanded in 2003. Five of her seven solo singles made the UK top ten, with 'Sweet Dreams My La Ex' and 'Some Girls' both peaking at number two, but she has remained absent from the release schedules since her second album, Come And Get It, stalled at number 28 in October 2005.

Last week she took part in a group routine on the final of Strictly Come Dancing, having finished second on the TV dance contest in 2008. She will perform a rumba on tomorrow's Christmas edition of the BBC One show.