Una Foden, who keeps her maiden name Healy for professional purposes, has just revealed that she is launching a solo career. The Saturdays band member confirmed the news on Twitter, writing: "So excited to announce I've signed to @deccarecords the home to so many amazing artists I admire. ? #excited."
Una will fly to the US next week to shoot the music video for the single, which will be released in the next few weeks. An album will follow shortly after.
She also spoke at length to The Sun's Dan Wootton, announcing: "I've just signed a deal."
© Photo: TwitterUna described her music as "acoustic, pop rock folk with hints of country"
The Irish beauty did reiterate, however, that her solo career does not signal the end of The Saturdays. The five-girl group – comprising of Una, Frankie Bridge, Rochelle Humes, Mollie King and Vanessa White – have been on a hiatus for over a year, with both Molly and Vanessa also planning solo careers.
"It's not a departure from The Saturdays," said Una. "We're all working on different things. We're taking some time out. The band have not disbanded whatsoever, 100 per cent true, but yeah we've had this time to focus on ourselves and what we want to do outside the band. We've had a great run of eight years."
Una, who has two young children with her husband Ben Foden, added: "It's been really nice to take some time away from the spotlight too. I've enjoyed being at home, being a mum with the kids, and just chilling out and gathering all my inspiration to write this album. The album is completely original music."
© Photo: Getty Images"The band have not disbanded whatsoever, 100 per cent true," said Una
Her new material, which Una describes as "acoustic, pop rock folk with hints of country", has taken the 34-year-old in a completely different musical direction, and back to her roots.
"Before I was in The Saturdays I was kind of going down the singer-songwriter route," she explained. "When I was 12 years old my mum passed me down her acoustic guitar and she was like, 'Do you want to start playing this?' Because she used to play. And I just picked it up and started playing.
"From there I started writing my own songs, all throughout my teens, that's what I always wanted to do, music and performing. I went down that route as Una Healy the singer-songwriter, kind of took a different turn, went down The Saturdays route for a few years and I'm going back to my roots again."
© Photo: Getty Images"He's just so supportive of it all," she said of her husband Ben Foden
Naturally Una has the support of her bandmates, who first heard one of her demos two years ago when they were releasing What About Us.
"They've been aware of it for a long time," said Una. "I think they always knew that I would eventually go back and do this style of music. They were really excited about it."
Rugby star Ben also has Una's back. "He's just so supportive of it all," she said. "He's known my musical influences and the music that I've really enjoyed. He's known that from the very start. I think when he came and met up with me the first time I was like, 'Can I play you a song?' He says, 'That's when I fell for her. When she picked up the guitar and started singing for me.'"
Speaking about her husband as a source of inspiration, Una added: "He's in there, in good times and bad. Lots of love songs."
