The Breakaways was an English vocal ensemble established in 1962. The group consisted of the musicians Vicki Haseman, Margot Quantrell, Barbara Moore, and Betty Prescott. They achieved professional recognition for a musical career characterized by session work for the musicians Petula Clark, Dusty Springfield, and Cilla Black. The ensemble was founded under the name The Fordettes while they performed as the backing vocalists for the musician Emile Ford. Their recording career began with the single “That Boy of Mine” (1964) which was a minor hit. The Breakaways achieved professional recognition for performing as backing vocalists for the musician Petula Clark on the song “Downtown” (1964) and the song “I Know a Place” (1965). Their discography included the single “He Doesn't Love Me” and the single “Sacred Love” (1968). The ensemble achieved professional recognition for performing as backing vocalists at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1968, 1971, and 1977. They achieved professional recognition for contributing uncredited background vocals to the studio recording Hit Maker! (1965) by the musician Burt Bacharach. The musician Jean Ryder achieved professional recognition for joining the ensemble in 1963.
