Excitement was already at fever pitch on the opening night of Steps musical Here and Now in Manchester before the show had even started - after fans spotted the arrival of the pop icons themselves at the Opera House .

Screams, whoops and cheers greeted the arrival of Faye Tozer, Claire Richards, H, Lee Latchford-Evans and Lisa Scott-Lee, looking every inch the pop idols in white and silver ensembles, as they waved to fans on the way to nestling into their seats to watch the show.

The giddy enthusiasm for this new musical, co-produced by the band, continued to only build as the opening strains of Stomp kicked in, with a bold and bright set of a discount supermarket unveiled and a colourful cast of beaming characters jumping all over the stage.

The energy is one of the big things to adm

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