The Sun reported on 9th June 2003 that OTV have split up - after just six months. However, the news was not finally announced formally until 12th August.
Jamie Shaw said he was "totally happy" about the split and blamed Pete Waterman, saying he gave the group a dated look and sound. He added that Waterman hung the lads out to dry and left them heartbroken.
Matt appeared on GMTV on 9th June and said it was a "complete pile of rubbish" to suggest that the band were splitting up after only six months. "Basically, it is just all rumours, rumours, rumours. We are not splitting, it is a complete pile of rubbish." The Sun report has not yet been confirmed.
The Sun had said that Daniel would tell the other lads he was quitting after their second single limped into the charts at number 10 on 8th June.
Shakespeare’s (Way With) Words only sold 10,000 copies in its first week and probably lost money.
A pal of Daniel is reported to have said: “The placing of the single was the last straw."
OTV's debut Sacred Trust sold 147,000 copies, against the 213,000 shifted by Sound Of The Underground.
Previously it had been reported that OTV had fired their manager, Pete Waterman.
Waterman said: "I've produced their music for six months for free and now they're demanding a new manager. It's madness."
OTV member Jamie said that they wanted to work with younger people: "Pete's a great guy but we want to work with different producers and young people. We don't want to work with old people all the time."
One True Voice was the name of the Popstars: The Rivals male voice harmony group. The five boys in the group were Anton Gordon, Daniel Pearce, Jamie Shaw, Keith Semple and Matt Johnson.
The final line-up of One True Voice was revealed on 23rd November in Popstars: The Rivals. Over two million votes were cast during the evening. The band members were announced in the order of the number of votes they received. This was Keith, Matt, Daniel, Anton and Jamie. Chris Park, the sixth boy in the show, did not get a place in the band.
One True Voice released a cover version of the Bee Gees' Sacred Trust on 16th December which competed for the Christmas number one against the Popstars: The Rivals girl band managed by Louis Walsh and a single released by the winner of Fame Academy.
At the time Daniel said: "As soon as we heard that name, we knew it was right. It just summed up what we are all about - singing talents who will stick together, no matter what.”
Keith said: "We will be in the studio next week cheering on the girls but that’s when the friendship ends. It’s a battle after that. We are confident of beating them and prepared to work for it.
Pete said: "If this goes in at number two I will commit suicide. I have got to beat Louis Walsh."
It went in at number two behind Girls Aloud and Mr Waterman did not keep his promise.