The REAL reason Sophie Monk wasn’t involved in the Bardot reunion

Bardot fans were left disappointed last week when Sophie Monk refused to join her former bandmates for a ‘virtual concert’ to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the group’s debut single, Poison.

Tiffani Wood, Belinda Chapple and Katie Underwood hosted a livestream to mark two decades since the song’s release, but the former Bachelorette was notably missing.

And according to New Idea, Sophie, 40, refused to be involved in any reunion plans because she ‘is doing well enough on her own and doesn’t need them’.

Snub: Sophie Monk wasn’t involved in the virtual Bardot reunion last week because she ‘is doing well enough on her own and doesn’t need’ her old bandmates, according to New Idea

An insider claimed Sophie was ‘playing hardball’ in negotiations because she wasn’t really interested in getting the band back together.

A source made similar claims to Daily Mail Australia last month, saying: ‘Sophie wants nothing to do with [Bardot] and hasn’t spoken to them for years.’

In an official statement, the Love Island host said she would not be taking part in the reunion ‘due to a busy schedule’ but wished them the best of luck.  

Hardball: An insider claimed Sophie (centre) was 'playing hardball' in negotiations because she wasn't really interested in getting the band back together

Hardball: An insider claimed Sophie (centre) was ‘playing hardball’ in negotiations because she wasn’t really interested in getting the band back together

With or without her! Bardot fans were left disappointed last week when Sophie refused to join her former bandmates for a 'virtual concert' to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Poison. Pictured: Tiffani Wood (top left), Belinda Chapple (top right) and Katie Underwood (bottom left)

With or without her! Bardot fans were disappointed last week when Sophie refused to join her former bandmates for a ‘virtual concert’ to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Poison. Pictured: Tiffani Wood (top left), Belinda Chapple (top right) and Katie Underwood (bottom left)

However, Sophie and her boyfriend, Joshua Gross, did have enough free time last week to join Australian Idol star Anthony Callea and his husband, Tim Campbell, for an Instagram Live double date. 

Anthony and Tim, who happen to be Bardot super fans, mentioned it was ’20 years since the release of Poison’.

Sophie quickly changed the topic and said: ‘But look at corona[virus]. It’s just knocked down any celebrations of 20 years hasn’t it?’

Tim asked if that was ‘a good thing or a bad thing’, to which Sophie then laughed and replied: ‘It’s a grey area.’

'Grey area': Last week, Sophie blamed the coronavirus pandemic for her reluctance to join her okd Bardot bandmates for a virtual singalong. Despite this, she found the time to livestream a double date with her boyfriend, Joshua Gross, and Anthony Callea and his husband, Tim Campbell

‘Grey area’: Last week, Sophie blamed coronavirus for her reluctance to join her former Bardot bandmates for a virtual singalong. Despite this, she found the time to livestream a double date with her boyfriend, Joshua Gross, and Anthony Callea and his husband, Tim Campbell

For years Sophie has been reluctant to rejoin the girl group, which was active between 2000 and 2002.

Returning member Tiffani revealed on Sunday that the band was very close to organising a reunion when things all went south.

She told Stellar that members Katie, 44, Belinda, 45, and Sally Polihronas, 43, got together on a four-way call and discussed it – but Sophie did not take part.

No time! Sophie told Daily Mail Australia last month, 'Due to a busy schedule I'm not able to be involved in any Bardot commitments. Good luck to the girls and I wish them all the best'

No time! Sophie told Daily Mail Australia last month, ‘Due to a busy schedule I’m not able to be involved in any Bardot commitments. Good luck to the girls and I wish them all the best’

‘We all got on [a call], except for Sophie, and had a chat. It went so well that we were close to doing something, but old wounds opened up and people’s lives are busy,’ she explained.

Tiffani added: ‘I’ve heard Sophie say “never say never”, but she’s never said yes – or maybe she’s said no every time, which is fair enough. She’s doing her own thing. But we all have our own reasons, and it’s not going ahead.’

A proper reunion is not out of the question, she said, but it won’t happen for years.

Moving on: For years Sophie has been reluctant to rejoin the girl group, which was active between 2000 and 2002. Pictured in March 2001

Moving on: For years Sophie has been reluctant to rejoin the girl group, which was active between 2000 and 2002. Pictured in March 2001