Ex-Bardot band member admits to secret that tore the original group apart after 17 years.

Bardot was once Australia’s favourite instant band, it bought Sophie Monk her first ticket to stardom and it’s members gave us such hits as ‘Poison’. It also didn’t last long.

Born from reality TV talent quest Popstars in 2000, it’s five members – Monk, Belinda Chapple, Tiffany Wood, Sally Polihronas and Katie Underwood – had called it quits by April 2002.

But the band had its troubles almost from day one after original member Chantelle Barry was booted from the group within weeks of its formation and replaced by Tiffani Wood.

And now we know why.

Barry has told Woman's Day the rumours she had stolen from a bandmate were true and that she was first offered "hush money" and a solo record deal to quit.

The 37-year-old explained that one "moment of stupidity" ruined her chances of a successful singing career in Australia.

"Sophie left her $100 weekly allowance in an envelope in my bedroom and I intended to return it on the weekend - we had plans to go to a gig together," she told the magazine.

"In a moment of stupidity, being a teenager and thinking that a pair of shoes was more important than the friendship I had with Sophie, I decided to keep her money for myself."

Barry said she confessed when her Popstars bosses found out and confronted her saying she still "felt terrible".

The aspiring singer said she was given $1000 to leave quietly, with the deal she signed preventing her from telling her side of the story when the allegations were aired by Australia's media.

Barry has since moved on. In 2001 she relocated to LA and later played a small part in the remake of 90210, starred in a TV show called Miss 2059 and had some other roles voice acting.

She's also dabbled in jewellery designing and continued with her solo singing career, releasing an album, several singles and one EP.

Listen: Did anyone else fall in love with James this week?