Hear'Say audition was 'fair'

Hear'Say as they were (from left): Myleene, Kym, Noel, Suzanne, Danny

LONDON, England -- A UK pop band that has styled itself on rigorous and open recruitment has hit back at criticism that its latest audition was rigged.

Hear'Say denied its quickfire appointment of Johnny Shentall, who it has emerged had previously danced with the band onstage, had been a sham.

Disgruntled fans had suggested the selection was a fix because Shentall, the replacement for Kym Marsh, had already tasted chart success.

But on Thursday solicitors acting for the band issued a statement saying the process was "fair to everyone involved."

More than 4,000 hopefuls from around the country had headed to London for auditions on Sunday.

Despite the manufactured band having been formed after months of auditioning, which was featured on television last year, the latest recruit was chosen in just hours.

The speed of the replacement raised some eyebrows and prompted speculation that the band's management already had someone in mind.

It then emerged that Shentall had a hit last year with Boom!, and had danced on stage with Hear'Say at the Top Of The Pops Awards. The 23-year-old is the boyfriend of ex-Steps star Lisa Scott-Lee.

But legal firm Harbottle And Lewis stepped in on Thursday to reiterate the same denials the band made when the winner was announced two days' ago.

The statement read: "The plain facts of the matter are:

"1. The auditions were open and anybody could apply.

"2. The decision to appoint Johnny was made at the end of the auditions and was unanimous. The decision was hard but we all decided that Johnny was the best person.

"3. Not one member of Hear'Say or their management knew Johnny personally."

The statement finished: "The whole audition was filmed by ITV2. When that film is broadcast, it will be seen that the selection process was fair to everyone."