The Big Reunion 2014 features exclusive and explosive accounts from former pop heroes, with revelations about drugs, fisticuffs, rows, eating disorders, shattered dreams and how the music industry can leave even apparently successful stars penniless.

by Newsdesk | 1st Feb 2014

Episode one also offers a taster from new band 5th Story. Gareth says: "My life changed overnight. Everything I seemed to release went to number one. I just enjoyed everything that was thrown at me.” He continues: “The band all sound very interesting, I know a few of them. Myself and Dane share a mutual friend."

Damage (Jade Jones, Andrez Harriott, Rahsaan J Bromfield, Noel Simpson)

Girl Thing (Jodi Albert, Anika Bostelaar, Michelle Barber, Linzi Nartin, Nikki Harrington)

5th Story (Adam Rickitt, Dane Bowers, Gareth Gates, Kavana, Kenzie)

Each band has just two weeks of intense rehearsals before they step back onto the stage to perform once again in front of thousands of fans.

The first episode features R&B pioneers Damage and Simon Cowell’s answer to the Spice Girls, Girl Thing, as they reveal the intense highs and lows of life at the peak of the pop world.

Starts Thursday 6 February at 9pm on ITV2