Bananarama singer Siobhan Fahey accuses ex-producers of sexism

Siobhan Fahey (left) of Bananarama says she found the sexism of their ex-producers "difficult". Photo / Getty

At their height, the Stock Aitken Waterman trio helped propel the likes of Kylie Minogue to global stardom.

But as the Daily Mail reports, a Bananarama singer has accused the legendary producers of sexism.

Siobhan Fahey says the treatment she experienced at their hands was partly behind her decision to quit the chart- topping girl group in 1988.

The 59-year-old, who co-founded Bananarama with friends Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward in 1981, revealed the tension between her and Pete Waterman became so great that she could not bear to be in the same room as him.

The songwriting partnership of Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Waterman were nicknamed the Hit Factory, selling 40million records, and in 1986, Bananarama made them their main producers after working on the smash hit Venus together.

But in an interview with Attitude magazine, Miss Fahey, who recently reunited with her former bandmates for Bananarama's first ever tour, said: "I found the sexism of Stock Aitken Waterman very difficult to handle. I couldn't be in the studio at the same time as Pete.

"I remember Matt [Aitken] pressing the talkback button going, 'Keren, I can see your t**s wobble!'" The band was also asked about Waterman, 70, once branding them 'difficult' to work with.

British songwriting and production team Stock Aitken Waterman in 1985. Photo / Getty

Miss Woodward, who last year split from Wham! star Andrew Ridgeley, replied: "Good! Difficult compared to other artists who just accepted songs, performed them and left."

Miss Dallin added: "We said how we wanted things done, and there are men around who are afraid of that. They term you as 'difficult'."

During their eighties heyday, Bananarama enjoyed a string of top ten hits including Love in the First Degree, I Can't Help It and Venus.

Their cover version of Shocking Blue's Venus became a worldwide chart hit, reaching No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1986, and Bananarama went on to make Stock, Aitken and Waterman their main producers.

SAW are also well known for working with artists such as the Three Degrees, Rick Astley, Sonia and Jason Donovan.