[Arneldo]

The Sugababes are to temporarily split so that Keisha Buchanan can fulfil her dream of studying at university, reports say.

The founding member said that being in the girl group since the age of 12 had meant she was never able to carry out further studies.

"It's my dream to study at university. I've been in Sugababes since I was 12, so I would love the opportunity," she is quoted as saying. "We would do our individual projects and come back together stronger than before."

Buchanan recently claimed the group are more successful than their rivals, Girls Aloud. "I get asked a lot, 'aren't they a bigger band than you?' Well, no. They're not," she said.

DS