Loose Women panellist Kéllé Bryan has revealed the racism her band Eternal were faced with during their heyday.
Dialling in for a video chat on today's (June 16) episode, the topic of Black celebrities and the discrimination they have faced in their careers was brought up by presenter Andrea McLean.
Related: Hollyoaks' Kelle Bryan opens up about "difficult" racism conversations with bosses
Kéllé (who left Eternal in 1998 after six years) commented: "When I was in the band, we just had a number one record, we were doing really well, we were the biggest-selling UK R&B girl band of that time and we were told by a magazine that we weren't allowed to be on the front cover.
"My management company at the time pushed and said, 'Why?' Why not? These are the stats, they've done 1.5 million in terms of album sales, they've just been nominated for Best British Band at the Brit Awards, so what's the reason?'"
Related: Loose Women star Kelle Bryan opens up about racist abuse she and her son have received
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On the unnamed publication's excuse, she continued: "They basically came back and said at the time, that Black people don't sell magazines – we were a predominantly Black band at that time.
"It's something that was definitely innate at the time."
Loose Women airs weekdays on ITV.
For more information on how you can support Black Lives Matter, please visit its official website or donate here. Readers can also donate to the UK anti-discrimination group Stand Up To Racism, and the Unite Families & Friends Campaign, which supports those affected by deaths in police, prison and psychiatric custody.
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Dan is a freelance entertainment journalist. Beginning his writing career in 2014, Dan's work first graced the pages of cult publications Starburst magazine and Little White Lies before moving onto Total Film, Digital Spy, NME and Yahoo Entertainment.
In the film and TV universe, he kneels at the altar of Jim Carrey, Daniel Plainview, Mike Ehrmantraut and Paulie Walnuts.
