`Flopstars' turn hot stars as V2 plans European chart assault. (International).

V2 is aiming to rewrite the international rulebook on a Popstars act by breaking Liberty X outside their domestic market on the back of their UK number one single Just A Little.

Although local versions of the TV show around the world have generated a wave of chart-topping singles, the likes of UK winners Hear'Say and Germany's No Angels have generally failed to make any impact outside of their home territories.

However, Liberty X--once dubbed "Flopstars" because the act comprises performers who failed to reach the final line-up in the UK Popstars series--now stand on the brink of an international push as Just A Little is serviced to radio and TV around most European territories.

Benelux leads the way in European markets, with an exclusive play for the single on TMF Holland already leading to a high rotation there. Belgium will be the next territory to follow, with adds to playlists at TMF and Jim TV ahead of its commercial release across continental Europe on June 10. On the same day, the track will be serviced to Japanese radio, although it will be released there at a later date.

V2 international product manager Julia Connolly says, "There was minimum awareness of Liberty X internationally, until now. We have waited so long for the first single to be released from Liberty X in Europe, because we wanted to prove that they were a band who could make it on their own."

Connolly believes the Popstars tag will not hamper Liberty X in international markets, because most will not ...