By Owen Tonks

Amelle Berrabah has spoken publicly about Keisha Buchanan’s departure from the Sugababes for the first time.

The singer admitted that the working relationship within the band got so bad that she became depressed.

Talking to The Mirror, she said: ”I was depressed. You shouldn’t have to go to work treading on eggshells.

“Before going to LA, I disappeared for three days and I got to the point where I just couldn’t take any more. I needed to be on my own. Even my own family couldn’t get hold of me. I hit that wall.”

Amelle, who replaced Mutya Buena in 2005, suggested Keisha leave and claims that fellow band member, Heidi Range, supported this.

“Keisha didn’t leave off her own back – me and Heidi couldn’t carry on,” she continued.

“Heidi completely supported me and knew what was going on within the band. But we all couldn’t work together anymore. We weren’t happy, me and Heidi, and it was a struggle to come into work. We didn’t enjoy it.

“We didn’t think [management would] want to carry on when we said we’d had enough. We met Jade for the first time on Sunday and we all got on well, it seemed natural. It’s totally different – we have started enjoying ourselves again and I do feel a bit relieved.”

Sugababes release new album Sweet 7 in November.