Noughties pop stars unrecognisable 23yrs after hit No1 single and fan death tragedy

POP legends A1 looked unrecognisable from their days as chart-topping teen heartthrobs as they performed on stage.

The group, who are all now in their 40s, appeared minus Ben Adams, 41, at a recent festival.

Pop legends A1 look unrecognisable from their days as chart-topping teensCredit: Getty

Paul Marazzi, 48, Christian Ingebrigtsen, 46, and Mark Read, 44, were worlds away from their teenage selves at the gig.

The British-Norwegian pop group formed in 1998 – but following a string of UK No1s and huge chart success in South East Asia, Paul quit the band in 2002.

The previous year, the group had experienced utter tragedy when four fans were trampled to death at a gig and signing in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.

Christian later said: “I think Paul stopped caring that much and withdrew a little bit more.”

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Speaking of the moment he discovered Paul had quit, Ben told viewers of The Big Reunion in 2014: “All I got was a text saying Paul had quit, it just seemed rude, we were great friends and brothers, it seemed like I know you need me, but f*** off.

“Paul leaving was the catalyst for breaking up, when Paul left that left shockwaves through everything.”

A1 reunited for The Big Reunion – an ITV2 show that saw 90s pop groups reunite years after they had split.

But Paul declined to take part.

“He doesn’t want to meet up to discuss it all, it’s bizarre… it’s odd,” Ben added.

In 2017, however, Paul had a change of heart and decided to reunite with his bandmates for a 20th anniversary tour.

He said at a press conference: “It was something I was a little bit scared about before I met them and started working with them again.

“I was thinking about how much we have all changed.

“But it was just like riding a bike. Straight back in there. The songs were all there, the lyrics were there, the harmonies took a little bit of work but they’re all there.

“It’s been nice. It really has been nice.”

Paul and his A1 bands are currently enjoying another anniversary tour.

The foursome are celebrating their 25th milestone together with gigs in the UK, Norway and Asia.

The group appeared minus Ben Adams at a recent festivalCredit: Neil Ferry

Mark Read, Christian Ingebrigtsen and Paul Marazzi (L-R) were worlds away from their teenage selvesCredit: Neil Ferry

Paul (centre-left) quit A1 in 2002 but reunited with them after 15 years apartCredit: Rex

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