Atomic Kitten: Pop star Natasha Hamilton announces she is leaving British girl group after 26 years

Pop star Natasha Hamilton has announced she is leaving Noughties girl group Atomic Kitten after 26 years.

The 42-year-old shared a touching statement on Instagram, reflecting on almost three decades in the band.

“26 incredible years, writing so many wonderful chapters, but now the time has come for me to close the book on this one,” she wrote.

Hamilton will now focus on her career as a solo artist after her final Atomic Kitten gig on Sunday.

The group, formed in Liverpool in 1998, are behind 2000s chart-toppers Whole Again, It’s OK!, The Tide Is High and Eternal Flame, to name a few.

Natasha shot into the spotlight after joining the group, replacing Heidi Range, who became a Sugababe.

She told fans that while she led an “incredible life” the ride had not always been smooth.

“Since 1999 I have been a part of one of the world’s most successful girl bands. I have lived the most incredible life, travelling the world many times over since then, bringing so much joy to your lives, performing songs that catapulted us into the stratosphere at such a young age,” she wrote.

“The ride hasn’t always been smooth, but I wouldn’t change a single thing.

“I’ve laughed and cried many a time with the girls, experienced so many surreal moments and been blessed with a career spanning 26 years — it’s been incredible and something I will always cherish.”

Hamilton has been trying to break out as a solo artist since the beginning of the year and plans to release her first EP soon.