All Saints reveal how Top of the Pops wanted them to perform 'in the nude'

All Saints have opened up about the rampant sexism they encountered as a girl band performing in the late '90s.

Speaking to The BBC, they particularly recalled a disturbing incident which took place during the taping for an episode of Top of the Pops; when they were asked to remove their tops so they could be shot from the shoulders up, giving viewers the impression they were performing in the nude. "They were filming images of us to use as a backdrop," said member Shaznay Lewis. "And they wanted us to take our tops off."

"The vision was that we looked naked and we didn't want that vision," added Natalie Appleton. So many artists have carefully sculpted their sexuality in a way which most suits their own sense of self expression; yet, for every Lady Gaga, there's a female artist being pressurised to sexualise herself in ways she may not feel comfortable with.

"But because it was such a huge show, we were told 'if you don't do it, you don't get to go on the show," further stated Melanie, highlighting exactly how monumental the pressure can be in these circumstances.

"The girl that worked with us was in tears because she was trying to fight our corner," Natalie said. "We ended up having to compromise with the producers. We dropped our tops to here [indicating her armpits] so it would look like we were topless." "We did it but we were stroppy about it," concluded Nicole Appleton. "[We] got labelled as being difficult."

Indeed, the band also spoke about the double standards which seem rife amongst the music industry and popular culture's attitude to female artists and their behaviour. "A lot of Britpop groups at the time would act very arrogantly and very stroppy, but that was never seen as a negative thing," Melanie commented. "We weren't half as bad - but if we didn't want to smile one day, or we weren't really interested in doing an interview, we'd be labelled as stroppy cows."

A BBC spokesman said of the incident: "We're not able to comment on something that is alleged to have happened nearly 20 years ago, but today we seek to ensure that everyone working at the BBC does so in an environment in which they are comfortable."

The British-Candian girl group originally rose to fame in the 90s, releasing nine top ten singles in the UK, including 'Never Ever' and 'Bootie Call'. However, it does seem as if the band has somewhat been able to remove themselves from the pressures of having to confine their images and self-expression; with All Saints' comeback album Red Flag now released on London Records.

"Shaz was nominated to write the album," Natalie reflected, "but there was no master plan, no-one telling us, 'this is the vision we have for you'. There was no pressure. And she pulled out an amazing record."