25 APRIL 2003
Pop quartet Blue has scored a £50-million soft drink promotion deal, replacing Britney Spears as the global face of Pepsi.

An insider says the handsome foursome were selected for their international appeal. "Blue are the hottest boyband of the moment – not just in the UK but all across Europe and Asia," said the source. "Ms Dynamite, Robbie Williams and Gareth Gates all advertised Pepsi, but only in the UK."

Apparently, Lee, Duncan, Antony and Simon pipped top acts such as Justin Timberlake and Jennifer Lopez to the contract. The R&B group, which has found overseas success with tunes such as Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word and All Rise is expected to break into the American market as well.

As Blue appears on millions of pop cans around the globe, Pepsi will be sponsoring the band's upcoming world tour.