Girls Can't Catch

Lore & Background

The group was formed after members were scouted by Polydor. Phoebe Brown had previously been in the X Factor girl group Hope, which finished fifth. Jess Stickley was scouted from the Motorokr competition, and Daizy Agnew won the Hugo Urban Rules competition in 2006.

Their debut single 'Keep Your Head Up', inspired by Soft Cell, was released on 3 August 2009 and peaked at number 26 on the UK Singles Chart. They opened for Girls Aloud on select dates of the Out of Control Tour and later for the Jonas Brothers on their European tour. Their second single 'Echo' was released on 18 January 2010 and peaked at number 19.

On 12 July 2010, it was reported that the band had been dropped by Polydor. The next day, they announced their disbandment on their website. Their unreleased album leaked at the time, including tracks co-written by Shaznay Lewis and Pixie Lott. In June 2014, the group reunited for a final interview, stating no plans for a reunion.

Reader's Guide

Girls Can't Catch represent a brief moment in late-2000s British pop, formed by a major label but unable to sustain commercial momentum. Their two chart entries—at numbers 26 and 19—show modest success, but the quick disbandment after being dropped highlights the precarious nature of manufactured girl groups. The group's members had prior reality TV and competition experience, reflecting a trend of scouting talent from shows like The X Factor. Their unreleased album, featuring co-writers like Shaznay Lewis and Pixie Lott, remains a footnote in pop history. The group's legacy is largely defined by its abrupt end and the subsequent solo paths of its members, particularly Daizy Agnew's later work as a judge on BBC's All Together Now. Their story illustrates how quickly industry support can vanish, even after touring with major acts like Girls Aloud and the Jonas Brothers.

Did You Know?

• Their debut single 'Keep Your Head Up' was inspired by Soft Cell.
• Member Daizy Agnew later became a judge on the BBC show 'All Together Now' starting in 2018.
• Their unreleased album included songs co-written by Shaznay Lewis and Pixie Lott.