All Of Me

by Claire Richards

Claire Richards, young, fit, and with a figure to die for, reached the dizzying heights of fame in the hit band Steps when she was only twenty. When she left, and Steps split shortly after, the world was shocked by the news. Now, writing with incredible honesty, Claire tells her story, from her teenage music career to her big break with Steps. She reveals that while in the band she faced harsh pressure to stay thin, and starved herself for years. Feeling broken by the experience, she finally left and sank into a pit of depression, gaining huge amounts of weight and losing all self-esteem. Believing her career was over, she also had to cope with a painful split from her Steps dancer husband. Thankfully finding love with her now husband, Reece, got her back on track. He didn't care about her size; he just wanted Claire. And, after seeing her weight go up and down for years, Claire has refused to diet any more. Happily married, with two kids, she's finally comfortable in her own skin on stage and screen. In this book, with humor, grace, and sincerity, she shares her journey to her happy ending.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography, Celebrity

248 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Claire Richards is an English singer-songwriter and dancer best known for being the lead singer in the pop group Steps from 1997 until Richards left the band resulting in the band splitting shortly after in 2001. The group reformed in 2011 and went on a comeback tour and released a greatest hits collection followed by their fourth studio album Light Up The World in November 2012.

Reviews

[Rachel (Smelleykins) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly you should know; I am a huge fan of steps. I’ve seen them many times on tour, I’ve met them various times and Claire has always been my favourite. I’m very protective of her if people are mean. I also have this vision of her that perhaps is clouded by what Claire has allowed us to see in the past and what I have wanted to see of her myself. I know she’s no angel (she did leave steps duh!) and I also know she’s human. But I had so many fears about reading her autobiography. I didn’t want my view of Claire to change, I kinda didn’t want to know all the juicy details behind the split. I just didn’t want my idol, changing everything I grew up believing. Stupid isn’t it? So I brought this book when it was released in paperback. I wanted it to add to my ‘steps’ collection. I never had any intention of reading it, I just didn’t want to know. Obviously I changed my mind…

The book is very easy to read. It pretty much starts with Steps’ being backstage in Belfast on the opening night of their reunion tour. Then goes through the journey of Claire’s life. From her first dreams of fame in the made up group ‘Sindy Swingers’ (Claire was a kid), to being in the girl group TSD (I own the singles too!) and then onto steps. Her trials and tribulations in the group, splitting up, her marriages and her battle with food. It’s jam packed with the lot.

From a personal level I could relate to a lot of what Claire said, only her personal life mind. Steps is a whole other ball game. But I realized I’m very much alike Claire. She’s a leo (me too!), but whilst leo’s are shown to be fierce and loud, there’s another side to us, and thats the quiet, kinda uh-oh side. I hate confrontation, and I’m also very much happier to stay in rather than go out all the time. I’m very family orientated too. I reacted the exact same way that Claire did when my parents split up. And i felt so drawn to Claire and her experiences.

Okay there was some stuff I didn’t want to know. I’m not prudish, but I don’t really want to hear my favourite pop star talk about sex. I don’t know why, it just seemed wrong haha! But heyho, it’s natural. It’s nice to know there are people out there who have morals. Plus i did have to giggle when she said ‘i’ve only ever slept with two people in my life and I married them both!’ It tickled me.

If you are looking for any gossip on the split, it’s not there. This is Claire’s story. You read what built up to it, and why Claire handed in her resination but theres not alot of bitchiness in it. It does give you an insight to the struggles of a very successful british group. It’s very scary. No matter what anyone thinks, we never know everything and we never will. Even with a tell all book. It’s not about Steps. It’s about Claire.

Claire’s battle with food and her weight plays a huge part in the book. After her voice it’s probably what she’s known for which is stupid. It has to be very hard to go from one extreme, of feeling the biggest out of three girls (which is so wrong because I’d have done anything to have a tummy like Claires!) to having everyone in the press writing utter crap about something that every woman battles with. Not technically to the same extremes, but god this world is cruel.

This book is honest. I never actually thought Claire would ever release something like this, because she always seemed the most private of the steppers. And I kinda liked that. But perhaps releasing this, it’s put a stop to all the stupid questions and shut some people up.

Claire will always be one of my idols. I have all the time in the world for her and I’m so very glad she’s back singing. I’ve missed her voice so much. She’s a huge inspiration to girls everywhere with her just ‘i don’t care anymore’ attitude. Claire came out from everything she has been through, fighting, thanks to her family, gorgeous babies and even fans sticking by her. And I don’t think anyone deserved it more. I only hope Ms Clara one day realizes just how wonderful she truely is.

You don't have to be a fan of steps to read this. I’d say it’s certainly more aimed at girls, who will relate to Claire more than they think.

[Ivan Magnus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Food for me is almost like a drug - I get an instant gratification from it, but it doesn't last very long, so then I have to find the next thing to eat to satisfy my craving. You could compare it to being a drug addict or an alcoholic, I suppose.

I know there will be plenty of people out there who believe there's no such thing as a food addiction, but I don't agree. I find comfort and pleasure in food and I find it very hard to stop eating those things that will make me look fat. I eat purely with my taste buds instead of my brain - I used to stuff food down so fast I wouldn't realize I was full up until it was too late.


In the late 90's and early 2000's Steps was huge, almost everyone knew the lyrics and the moves to 5, 6, 7, 8, I was still a kid and was one of those people. I used to carry a couple of their albums (cassette tapes) inside my bag everywhere (one of them broke but still works), and record their music videos and The Next Step Live on a blank VHS, still have those at home. I was a HUGE fan as a kid but I never really knew they disbanded, maybe I just thought they stopped making music. I never stop listening to their music though and tried to follow their careers growing up.

Fast forward to September 2019 when I found Claire Richards' book at a secondhand bookstore, the inner child in me screamed and didn't thought for a second whether I should get it. Claire opened up about a lot of personal stuff in this book, from her relationships, her body issues, the dark side of the music industry like a record label having favoritism, and what really happened with Steps.
Though I like reading about how it really went down with Steps, the one thing that made me connect to her stories was her relationships with food, you know the one 'When I'm happy I eat, when I'm sad or down in the dumps I eat... sometimes more', that'll lead to gaining weight even though you don't want to, or starving and punishing yourself for eating too much, that'll also lead to staying at home and making up excuses to not go out because you feel like shit. I did tear up while reading her story, she's brave, and she doesn't know me but through this book she made me feel less alone. She'll probably never be able to read this but I want to say Thank You and Steps for being a big part of my childhood, and thank you for speaking up. This is a really wonderful read.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I adore Steps so I naturally had to read this book. While I did enjoy it and I found it hard to put down I did have some problems. I felt that it was very underdeveloped in alot of parts. I felt she could of elaborated more on certain experiences. I felt that alot of the Steps stuff was brushed over and she could of gone into alot more detail about that, put in some more quotes and facts about what went on behind the scenes because it would of been a much more interesting read.

[Rachel Bustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved reading Claire's story of her life so far. It describes her journey before Steps which was very interesting. It tells us exactly what the pressures of being in a pop band is like and how Claire found it very hard. It was a hard book to put down hence finishing it in 24 hrs!
A good autobiography if you have a few hours to kill.

[Laura S · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first biography I have read and truly inspiring. Having always loved steps, the book was a must read for me. And it has taught me so many life lessons and at times made me very close to tears. Really amazing!

[Doris Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book finished it in less than 2 days - did feel Claire could of talked about her up bringing a bit more rather than just her steps career and her yoyo dieting. Good read though x

[Book Addict Shaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I only started reading it a few hours ago but I couldn't put it down. I have read a lot of autobiographies over the years and I always finish them thinking that that particular biography was one of my favourites but this one definitely is.

I was a huge Steps fan when I was younger (I still am if I'm honest). I had the tapes and the CDs every Christmas. However I was only 7 or 8 when the first single was released and so for me, Steps were just a pop band who sang songs that I loved. I had no idea what they were like as people, what was happening in the media or anything like that. What kid cares about that? It's not like today where a musicians life is more important to their fans than the music, perhaps it was for older fans, but for me as a kid I just loved their music and that was it.

So for that reason a lot of the stories in this book were completely new to me, however for older fans and for fans that followed Steps in the media all those years ago, these stories probably won't be all that new except that they are told from Claire's perspective in what I think is a very honest way. The book was a joy to read, funny in places and sad in others I really enjoyed it. Until the Steps documentary last year I had no idea about rivalries, arguments etc so I really enjoyed reading about it and was quite shocked at what went on.

As a child my only memory about hearing/reading about Steps in the media was when they split up and it is a vivid memory because I got the greatest hits album Gold for Christmas and then woke up the following day to find out that they had split up and I, like thousands of people across the UK, was devastated. All I remember is hearing people saying how they had released the CD for money over Christmas before telling the fans that they had split up however after reading this book I know that is not the case.

It was also an eyeopener reading about Claire's battle with weight. I have had and continue to have problems with weight and it's a shame that so many people place so much emphasis on it. The story about the Steps fans not recongising her was awful because she still looks like 'Claire from Steps' whether she's thin or not. Unfortunately nothing seems to have changed and the media's obsession with weight just seems to get worse not better.

Overall this was a fantastic read and one that every Steps or Clarie fan should definitely read. As I said older fans may not discover anything new here but it is a very honest read and I hate it when people give books like this 1 or 2 stars, Claire has literally opened her heart up and talked about some difficult memories to write this book. It isn't like other autobiographies where the author may write it to cash in it is simply just an honest read and it must have been very therapeutic for her to get it all out in the open.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire was never my favourite member of Steps, although she was definitely up there. But she's always the person I imagine to be when I sing along to the songs. I sing all of her lines. So I was shocked to read her biography and discover how ostracised she felt from the rest of the band at times.

I adored Steps, and no, I'm not ashamed to admit it. There was a time I had all their posters on my wall. The posters have now long gone, but I still have their music on my mp3 player. And I managed to do part of the dance to "5,6,7,8" in the pub, admittedly after a few drinks. OK, you caught me out, there is still one poster on my wall, but I'm not saying of who!!! I was shocked when they split up, as many people were, they were at the peak of their fame, doing really well, and bang it was all over.

Claire lifts the lid briefly on the problems which made her leave the band and some of the infighting, which led to the acrimonious split. I have a feeling she could have gone a lot deeper with some of the details - altogether, the book is very short, only 250 pages, so at times, it does feel incredibly rushed and certain parts glossed over. My attitude towards certain members of Steps have now changed, but I'd still like to read their side of things. A bit like the biographies of Alison Arngrim, Melissa Anderson and Melissa Gilbert. Three different sides of one TV show. (Little House On The Prairie for the people not in the know!)

Again, it's a very quick read. I read it in two days, and probably could have read it faster if it hadn't been for the dreaded WORK. I admire Claire for coming out and admitting some of her problems with her weight and her insecurity, I just wish there had been more. She has such a frank way of talking and it was a very enjoyable read. I just feel like it went too fast.

[Julie Haigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always liked steps and was interested when I saw there was going to be a reunion documentary on tv. Watched the tv series which was ok but very repetitive and on this claire announced she was writing a book about all this. I thought oh why are you doing this it might put a spanner in the works with regard to the reunion but I am glad I have read it as she has actually done a really good job. The book is just the right length, not too long and not too short. There is no dishing of dirt she just tells it like it was dealing with it sensitively and not badmouthing anyone. It is not just about the steps reunion it is all Claire's story, early life, family,relationships etc. I have really enjoyed it, it is a very warm book, happy and sometimes emotional. She also gives us an incite into her issues with food and weight but this book is about so much more. I would highly recommend it, a good all round read.

[Louise Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

never was a huge steps fan but always get for a dance when on at a disco yer it was no surprise to see or read about the in fighting but as people always say u r only hearing claire and her side of the story !! i always think their are always a person on the up five side line in groups wether famous or not and the grout p steps is no exception !!! I t was interesting to hear abou and must be a milliont her weight in securities which we all at some times suffer from and must be a million times worse when u are in the public eye It was a very quick read and so in that way was quite relaxiing but i believe most band group are the same !!! oooh 5678 song in mind now annoying

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this read. Put a lot of thins into perspective. I was and still am a massive steps fan and this made everything make sense. I do not blame her for the split and never did and I am glad she chose to get out when she did. The way the group made her feel so miserable. I hope this time round things are different.
With regard to the weight I hat how society perceives that if you are over a 12 your FAT. She is a true role model for embracing who she is.
Great book and a fantastic insight to her life. She has an amazing body, voice, mind and personality and is very honest in tshi book. Talking about her affair is not something can do easily but she did.

Thank you. Great read

[Mandi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even though I was never a real Steps fan, I picked this book up recently as it was being sold for quite cheap. I thought I would give it a go. It's not bad, doesn't really go into a lot of in-depth things, seems to gloss over a lot of the issues that Steps had. I was hoping for more behind the scenes scandal but never mind. I did feel for Claire though with her weight battle as it can't be easy being prone to weight gain whilst the other female members of your group can eat what they like.
Overall, not badly written. I expect that Steps fans will love this book.

[Lisa Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book. Loved Claire before I read it. Still love her, but it's opened my eyes to her. She is slightly selfish, and incredibly emotional. She also comes across as a bit insensitive in that she didn't have a problem being the other woman, and she was fine with her fella being married to someone else and sleeping with her, thereby cheating on his wife with her. She seemed fine with this. I bet she wouldn't be if the boot was on the other foot, and Reece did that to her! That I didn't like!

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this, gave me a whole new respect for Claire, and also made me realise we were not much different.

I think she revealed just enough information for us to understand her point of view while keeping some information for her family. Thats the way that it should be, when celebrities tell you every single little detail classing it as some type of therapy I find it unnecessary.

Thank you Claire for sharing your story with us.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having been an avid Steps fan all my life, I had to buy this. I knew she had been struggling with her weight, having seen it rise and fall throughout Steps and then afterwards too. But I am quite shocked though at how bad Claire believes things had broken down between the band, yet they always had such a positive image. She puts just enough information in so that you can relate with her story, yet keeps enough of her details private, which is how it should be. Enjoyed it greatly :)

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished this book in literally 3 days. Very easy reading and addictive, but maybe because im a massive steps fan rather than it being any good. If you love steps read, otherwise i think you may find her a bit annoying..

[Lexy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an interesting read as Claire battles her demons. I wonder if the steps reunion may have tamed down some of the steps stories. It was an honest read covering pressures of fame and body image. A good read. I feel like I've read a lot of autobiographies this year.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

nothing new here, disappointment reading this

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of steps (especially Claire Richards), it was a really well-written tender autobiography. I did have a little cry half way through. :(

[Jo Derry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for steps fans.

[Helen Jeffery · Rating 3 out of 5]

a very honest account of her life before, during, & after steps

[Sazzles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Love Claire! Read it in a day.

[Zoe Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always loved Claire from Steps and enjoyed reading about her life. Did read this fairly quickly.

[Daniel Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a Re-Read. I originally read this book when it was first released in 2012, but decided to reread it as Steps are back with new music!


Steps were always my favourite pop group as a kid! I was 5 when their debut album came out and I can remember spending all my pocket money on their music and merchandise, up until the bands sudden split in 2001 - my heart had broken for the first time! I'll never forget the devastation I felt on Boxing Day 2001 when news of the bands split reached me! For the longest time, I blamed Claire for the split - she was the first to hand in her resignation, so ultimately I saw her as the reason the band was gone. I suppose I started to resent her too a bit, I never hated her and always considered myself to be a fan, but I didn't have the love for her that I should have done. Reading this autobiography, however, my opinion has changed and I cannot blame her anymore and I feel bad for ever blaming her to begin with.

Throughout the bands time together, Claire was always made to feel like crap and was ostracised by the other band members, due to the fact she was chosen to sing lead vocal a lot of the time. As described in All Of Me, Claire had taken a lot of flack from the others and it all simply got too much for her, causing her to want out of the band. While this broke my heart 16 years ago, I definitely respect her decision now - it must have been tough to watch your career go from a huge dream you've had your whole life to a living nightmare.

As well as behind the scenes info of Steps split and their 2011 reunion (though there's not much Steps info - there should have been a lot more since that's ultimately what people bought the book for, I would imagine), this book also delves into Claire's story with her weight. Famous for her yo-yo weight, Claire opens up a hell of a lot in this book, and for that I'm so proud of her as it must be so tough to be judged on your weight and have everything else play second... It should never be like that; Claire is famous for her stunning voice, who cares what she looks like?! Sadly that's not the case and in this book Claire tells a sad story about a group of fans failing to recognise her, instead ignoring her whilst asking for autographs from two of her band mates! How devastating that must have been! I don't understand that at all though, as big or small, Claire still looks like Claire...

All in all, I really enjoyed this book the first time around and I really enjoyed it this second time too. Probably even more so this time, as I now know what happens when the book ends - Steps went on to enjoy a brilliant reunion, selling out two tours & recording a new Christmas album Light Up The World. After a hiatus of 5 long years, New Years Eve 2016 saw them reunite once again for a special 20 Years of Steps celebration concert, which has spanned a brand new album (their first album full of new original material in 17 years!) as well as a brand new tour! Steps are back, and I am so excited! But this book is brilliant - it doesn't delve too deeply into band gossip so if you're looking for that then this book isn't for you, but it is a very honest (and at times, tough) read, and I thank Claire for letting us into her journey. My only issue with it is that it's incredibly short and could have added more Steps gossip or even just another chapter of Steps. That, after all, is what Claire is known for, but at times this book tended to gloss over it like it wasn't the biggest thing to have happened to Claire's life/career.

[Hornthesecond · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was never a big Steps fan, though "One for sorrow" is on my guilty pleasures playlist, because I like the introduction and Claire Richard's singing of it. I read this book because I went to the same school as Claire Richards, but a few years above her. I actually saw her sing "Goodbye to Love" in school assembly, which she mentions early in the book, and also I remember a duet version of a song from an Andrew Lloyd-Webber musical, which was probably "I know him so well" from Chess. Even then she had a beautiful voice and was a very nice looking girl. So, for me, the start of the book was very interesting as I grew up in the same part of London around the same time, and I felt I recognised it. It was also good to see her give credit to her music teacher, Mr. King, who I remember was a very good teacher and not averse to challenging people to come out of their comfort zone.

This autobiography seemed pretty open, and felt plausible as an honest account of Richards' perspective. She doesn't try to portray herself as perfect and admits occasionally to mistakes and regrets, including rather a big one. Personally, I could have lived with fewer details about her love life and relationships in the middle of the book, but maybe that was for her an important part of her life that she felt it important to communicate, and maybe it's necessary context for understanding what was going on with her career and her decisions and problems. I particularly enjoyed the last few chapters of the book where she passes on pieces of wisdom and experience such as what she's learned about diet and dieting and the importance of having a life outside of your career. In the end, it was an interesting read and I found myself warming to the author and wishing her success in the future. I'm glad I got through the middle section that sometimes interested me much less.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an easy read and she got straight to the point so it flowed. I got through it at a fairly decent rate.
It was interesting to hear her side about steps and her experience. It was also brave for her to open up about her food struggles and provide an insight and guidance via her tv shows and pieces she's done in magazines about it. I was a little disappointed to learn about how she's been with men. Although she briefly acknowledged that she felt bad for her partners pregnant girlfriend she went on about not wanting to wish being the mistress on anybody. And centred on her pain. She then went on to marry another man she said numerous times she didn't care about enough and had a moment with someone else while still married! She clarified there was no s#x but they fooled around. Before getting back with her now single ex. While I'm happy her life worked out as she wanted and things are OK in her family now. Her constant focus on herself annoyed me. Particularly how she said she reacted to her step daughter and her parents split. I understand people feel their pain and this is her book so it will be focused on that. But I didn't like how she painted herself during these events. She also came across as whiney and miserable generally. It could just be poor choice of wording or maybe I'm attached to the squeaky clean image they gave at the time. That's my only criticism. Otherwise it's written well.

[Andrew Ives · Rating 4 out of 5]

I try to vary the genres of my 50-odd books I read every year, and include a music-related autobiography among them. Having read Debbie Harry's, John Taylor's and Claire's uncle Keef's ;) a Steps-related book from a much younger artiste might appear a little lightweight. As I was given this by a friend, and I'm not averse to a bit of PWL/Steps, I thought I'd give it a whirl. Sure enough, it is a very easy-going read, and it reads much like a candid conversation with Claire. It says "searingly honest" on the back cover, and indeed it is. I was somewhat surprised to read that Claire is shy, for someone in showbiz, and surprised too that she has such a low opinion of her body image, looks and general worth as a singer. I'm sure the other members of Steps weren't bitching about her quite as she imagined back in the day. Some of the romantic liaisons with everyone two-timing everyone came across like a shocking Hollyoaks special! I was quite aghast. Anyway, all told, I enjoyed this compelling page-turner of an autobiography much more than I expected to, as it made me laugh a few times, and was a real eye-opener at others. I hope there's an extra volume or re-release, covering the additional years since this was written. 4/5

[K Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great, honest, and fun read with all the hard truths about Claire Richards's life. This book is more than the "Claire from Steps" story but the honest story of how Claire Richards lived her life from a Teenager to a Happily Married Mum of two and how Steps changed her life.

I do not want to give any spoilers as this is a great and easy read and you will find Claire honest and endearing as she is not trying to create a persona as much as she is spilling her life out on the page. What I will say is that I am biased as I fell in love with Claire several years ago and now I have fallen in love with her love for her Husband Reece and her love of being a Mum. It takes a lot to write a book about your insecurities, fears, and dislikes, and easy to write about your passions, Claire covers everything, and her soul was on show to the World from the age of nineteen and Claire doesn't run from any truths in this book. A great read.

The only thing missing now is an update on the last ten years and how Claire has progressed with her personal development as the next ten years have been amazing.

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was always a fan of Steps. Just call me the Canadian BritPop lover. Claire was always my favourite member.

Reading this book I realize I have so much in common with this star. Hearing her talk about her trouble with body image and good addictions really hit home with me.

If you’re a fan of Steps, read this book!

[Lord Bobby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great read I'm a big steps fan . Claire left nothing out of how she was treated in the band. It was nice to find out the real reason why they split up. Now that in the past. No wonder the steps are doing well again . It's nice that they are all friends.