Five

Five, also styled 5ive, is a British boy band from London, United Kingdom. The group is active from 1997 and is associated with dance-pop, europop, pop and teen pop. Its members are Richard Breen, Jason Paul Brown, Richard Neville, Scott Robinson and Sean Conlon.

Formation and early success

The group forms in 1997 after Bob and Chris Herbert, who earlier create the Spice Girls, place an advertisement in The Stage seeking young male singers and dancers for a boy band with “attitude and edge”. Around 3,000 people audition, and the five eventual members are among the small group selected after arranging themselves together while waiting for their auditions. They sign to BMG/RCA for a six-album deal.

Their first UK single, “Slam Dunk (Da Funk)”, appears in November 1997 and debuts at number 10. In 1998, “When The Lights Go Out” becomes their first major international hit, reaching the US top 10 and earning Gold status there. Their debut album reaches number 27 in the US and tops the charts in the UK and several other countries.

Chart hits and albums

Five continue to release singles throughout 1998, including “Got The Feelin’”, “Everybody Get Up” and “Until The Time Is Through”. The last two each reach number two in the UK and enter the top five in various territories. “If Ya Gettin’ Down” becomes a major worldwide hit in 1999, and “Keep On Movin’” gives the group their first UK number one and their biggest-selling single. Their second album reaches the UK top five.

In 2000, “Don’t Wanna Let You Go” reaches number 9 in the UK. The group performs at the BRIT Awards with Queen, where it opens with an updated version of “We Will Rock You” and wins Best Pop Act. Their cover of the Queen song later becomes their second UK number one.

The band’s third album, Kingsize, follows a period of writing and development. “Let’s Dance” is released as its debut single and becomes their third UK number one. Kingsize enters the charts at number 3 and goes gold.

Tours, disruptions and split

Five tours widely, including dates in the UK, Europe, Russia, Australasia and South America. During one tour Ritchie Neville has chicken pox and travels back to England, and later he injures tendons in his left foot during a concert in Belgium. Sean Conlon falls ill with glandular fever during work on Kingsize, and Scott Robinson temporarily leaves the band while his then-fiancée Kerry Oaker has pregnancy difficulties; their son Brennan Rhys is born on 11 July 2001, five weeks early.

After problems with record companies and a period of meetings with management, the group disbands on 27 September 2001. A double A-side single, “Closer To Me” and “Rock The Party”, follows in November 2001, along with a greatest hits album.

Reunions, later activity and side projects

Following the split, Abs Breen, later known as Abz Love, releases the solo album Abstract Theory in 2003, which produces three UK top 10 singles. Ritchie Neville appears occasionally as a TV guest star, presenter, actor and reality television contestant. Scott Robinson works as a DJ at EssexFM in 2002 for a short period and appears in the musical Boogie Nights 2 from late 2004 through most of 2005. Sean Conlon signs a solo deal with Sony and begins work on a new album. Jason Paul Brown is absent from public view for several years and later reappears as a writer and producer.

Five reunites in 2006 and records new material with Guy Chambers, Anders Bagge and French DJs Trak Invaders. The group again attempts a comeback in 2007, with clips of “70 Days” and “Settle Down” appearing online, but it later abandons those plans. In 2013 it reforms for The Big Reunion; Jason Paul Brown does not take part, while the remaining original members appear. In 2014 Abs Breen announces that he is no longer a member. In February 2025, Five announces that all five original members are back together.

Recognition and sales

Five has three UK number one singles, ten UK top 10 hits, and estimated worldwide sales of 15–20 million records, including around 7 million albums and 2 million sales in the United States. The group also wins numerous awards during its first period of activity.