Girls Aloud's biggest career moments as they re-issue their second album
They're also going on a 2024 tour!
With hits like 'Love Machine', 'Biology' and 'The Promise', there's no denying the fact pop band Girls Aloud, made up of Cheryl Tweedy, Kimberley Walsh, Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts, and the late Sarah Harding, have cemented their crown in being one of the most successful girl groups in British music history!
The band, who were formed on ITV talent show Popstars: The Rivals at the beginning of the 21st Century, announced their split in 2013, and celebrated their 20th anniversary on 30th November 2022. Although they didn't do anything celebrate at the time, in November 2023 the band confirmed they'd reunited, announcing a UK and Ireland tour for May/June 2024, in celebration of the late Sarah Harding.
Are Girls Aloud reuniting?
They are! After a cryptic four-day countdown by the girls on social media, on Wednesday 22nd November 2023, Girls Aloud confirmed they were reuniting with a huge 2024 Arena tour across the UK and Ireland!
Calling it a 'Celebration of Sarah', Girls Aloud will perform their biggest hits in May and June, in cities such as Dublin, Belfast, Liverpool, Newcastle, Birmingham, and Nottingham.
When are Girls Aloud on tour?
Girls Aloud's tour will begin in Dublin on Saturday 18th May 2024, with the final show scheduled in Liverpool on Saturday 29th June 2024.
See the full list of dates below:
MAY 2024
Dublin, 3Arena - Sat 18th
Belfast, SSE Arena - Mon 20th
Manchester, AO Arena - Thurs 23rd & Fri 24th
Cardiff, Utilita Arena - Mon 27th
Newcastle, Utilita Arena - Fri 31st
JUNE 2024
Newcastle, Utilita Arena - Sat 1st
Aberdeen, P&J Live - Tues 4th
Glasgow, OVO Hydro - Sat 8th
Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena - Weds 12th
Leeds, First Direct Arena - Sat 15th
Birmingham, Resorts World Arena - Tues 18th
London, The O2 - Sat 22nd & Sun 23rd
Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena - Sat 29th
Girls Aloud's biggest career moments to date:
2002: Girls Aloud are born on Popstars: The Rivals
After weeks of auditions and live shows on TV talent show Popstars: The Rivals, Cheryl Tweedy, Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts, Sarah Harding and Kimberley Walsh all won a place in the band, forming Girls Aloud!
2002: Girls Aloud battle with One True Voice for Christmas Number 1
After winning a place in the band, the five girls then battled against Popstars: The Rivals boyband One True Voice for the all-important 2002 Christmas Number 1.
Despite many thinking One True Voice would have a landslide victory, Girls Aloud's 'Buy girls, Bye boys' campaign took off alongside their debut single 'Sound of the Underground, catapulting their single to Number 1 in the UK Charts for an impressive four weeks.
2003: Debut album 'Sound of the Underground' released
Following the success of their debut single, Girls Aloud delighted fans in May 2003, dropping their first ever album 'Sound of the Underground'.
The album, which featured singles 'No Go Advice' and 'Life Got Cold', debuted at Number 1 in the UK Charts and was later certified platinum.
2004: 'The Show', 'Love Machine' and second album 'What Will The Neighbours Say?'
A second album from Girls Aloud was never in doubt following the success of 'Sound of the Underground', and in November 2004 the girls delivered with 'What Will The Neighbours Say?'
As well as receiving rave reviews by both fans and critics, the album was made up of five top-10 singles, including massive hits 'Love Machine' and 'The Show', which both charted at Number 1 in the UK Charts.
2004: Children In Need single 'I'll Stand By You' Hits Number 1
After narrowly missing out on the Number 1 spot with their previous two singles taken off the album 'What Will The Neighbours Say?', Girls Aloud hit the top spot when they covered The Pretenders' 1994 hit 'I'll Stand By You' for Children In Need in 2004.
2005: Girls Aloud receive first BRIT Award nomination
The girls were nominated for their first ever BRIT Award in 2005 in the Best Pop Act category. Despite attending the ceremony in February with high-hopes, McFly were announced as the winners on the prestigious night.
2005: Girls Aloud embark on first ever tour
Supporting their second studio album 'What Will The Neighbours Say?', the girls embarked on their first ever tour in 2005, performing at theatre-sized venues.
The 'What Will The Neighbours Say' tour ran across 22 dates between May-June across the UK and Ireland.
2005: Girls On Film
Girls Aloud gave their fans a massive treat in 2005, releasing a DVD called Girls On Film, made up of all of their music videos to date, fan Q&As, behind-the-scenes footage and a Christmas TV ad!
2005: 'Chemistry' album release
Girls Aloud released their third studio album 'Chemistry' in December 2005, featuring tracks like 'Long Hot Summer', 'See The Day', and 'Whole Lotta History'.
Despite missing out on a top 10 spot in the UK Charts, the album was certified platinum and included hit single 'Biology', which was described by music journalist Peter Cashmore as 'the best pop single of the last decade' at the time of release.
2006: First arena tour and change of record labels
After being moved from Polydor Records to Fascination Records, Girls Aloud embarked on their first ever arena tour, albeit only including 10 dates across the UK and Ireland.
The tour took kicked off in May and ended at the start of June 2006, with a set-list including songs from their 'Chemistry' album, as well as a number of their earlier hits.
2006: Girls Aloud hit V Festival
Following their previous chart success, Girls Aloud were invited to perform an up-beat set at V Festival in the summer of 2006.
The girl band performed 10 songs in total, including a cover of Robyn's 'With Every Heartbeat', and hit singles, 'Love Machine', 'Biology', and 'Can't Speak French'.
2006: Girls Aloud land their own TV show, Off The Record
Girls Aloud fans were given an in-depth look at the ups and downs of being in a girl band when Girls Aloud: Off The Record aired on E4.
The six-part series followed the girls as they prepared for their 'Chemistry' tour, as well as visiting countries such as Ibiza, Greece and China.
The popular show also gave fans an insight into Cheryl, Nicola, Nadine, Kimberley and Sarah's personal lives, with cameras following Cheryl and her husband at the time Ashley Cole on a date night.
2006: Greatest Hits album and record breakers
Following four years at the top, which included three albums and two tours, Girls Aloud released a greatest hits album called 'The Sound of Girls Aloud: The Greatest Hits', which debuted at Number 1 on the UK Album Chart.
The album was also accompanied by brand new single 'Something Kinda Ooooh', helping the girls become the first British act to reach the UK Top 5 on download sales only.
2007: Girls Aloud team up with the Sugababes for Comic Relief
In 2007, Girls Aloud and fellow girl band the Sugababes collaborated to release a cover of Aerosmith single 'Walk This Way' to help raise money for Comic Relief.
Dubbed Sugababes vs. Girls Aloud, the single went on to hit Number 1 in the UK Charts, Girls Aloud's third single to reach the top spot.
2007: Girls Aloud embark on their 'Greatest Hits' Tour
Following the release of their album 'The Sound of Girls Aloud: The Greatest Hits' in 2006, the girls hit the road again for their third concert tour in 2007.
The tour was a great success for the band, starting in Newcastle on 14th May, and coming to a close on 2nd June in Belfast.
2007: 'Tangled Up' album release
Girls Aloud dropped their fourth studio album in November 2007, with 'Tangled Up' hitting Number 4 in the UK Charts and gaining certified platinum status.
The album featured singles 'Call The Shots', 'Sexy No No No...', and 'Can't Speak French'.
2007: Girls Aloud make cameo appearance in St. Trinian's
Girls Aloud turned to the world of film in 2007 when the girls made a cameo appearance as the school band in hit movie St. Trinian's.
The group also recorded the lead single from the movie's soundtrack, titled 'Theme to St Trinian's'.
2008: The Passions of Girls Aloud airs
Following on from their first TV show Off The Record back in 2006, the girls landed an ITV2 show called The Passions of Girls Aloud, which followed Cheryl, Nicola, Kimberley and Sarah taking on new 'passions'.
Cheryl chose breakdancing, Sarah tried out Polo, Nicola released her own make-up range, and Kimberley followed her dreams of appearing in the West End.
Nadine didn't take part in the show.
2008: Second BRIT nomination and 'Tangled Up' tour
Girls Aloud landed their second ever BRIT Award nomination in 2008 for Best British Group, but sadly, the girls lost out to the Arctic Monkeys.
Later that year, Girls Aloud delighted fans by embarking on their 'Tangled Up' tour, performing at 34 different dates across the UK and Ireland between May-June.
2008: Girls Aloud release autobiography Dreams That Glitter
In October 2008, Girls Aloud released their debut book, an autobiography called Dreams That Glitter. The book included stories about their time in the band, their personal lives and even some style tips!
Following a book signing at Waterstones in London, Dreams That Glitter became a best-seller just months later.
2O08: Final studio album 'Out Of Control' released
Following a busy 2008, Girls Aloud rounded off the year by dropping their fifth and final studio album 'Out Of Control' in November.
The album, which featured hits like 'The Promise', 'The Loving Kind', and 'Untouchable', hit Number 1 in the UK Charts and went on to become Girls Aloud's best-selling studio album.
2009: Girls Aloud win their first ever BRIT Award
After a number of unsuccessful attempts, Girls Aloud won their first ever BRIT Award in 2009, picking up the award for Best British Single for their hit single 'The Promise'.
The girls also performed their award-winning track on the night, in front of an A-list audience.
2009: 'Out Of Control' tour
Although originally only a 10-date tour, due to massive demand Girls Aloud later released more dates for their 'Out Of Control' tour, performing 32 dates throughout April-June.
The set-list for the show was made up of hits mainly from their album of the same name, as well as some Girls Aloud classics.
2009: Girls Aloud announce one-year hiatus
After many years at the top, Girls Aloud announced in July 2009 that the band would be taking a year long hiatus in order to work on solo projects.
In this time, Cheryl dropped her debut solo album '3 Words', featuring Number 1 single 'Fight For This Love'.
2010: Girls Aloud support Coldplay at Wembley
Just two months after announcing their hiatus, Girls Aloud briefly reunited to support Coldplay at Wembley Stadium! The girls performed two shows alongside American rapper Jay-Z.
Despite revealing a new album would arrive later in 2010, this didn't materialise, with the band taking three years off.
2012: Girls Aloud reunite
After three years apart, Cheryl, Nadine, Nicola, Sarah and Kimberley delighted their fans in 2013 by announcing they would be making a comeback to celebrate Girls Aloud's 10th anniversary!
2012: 'Ten' album
To go with the band's 10th anniversary plans, Girls Aloud released a greatest hits album called 'Ten' in November 2012, featuring three brand new singles including 'Something New', 'On The Metro' and 'Beautiful 'Cause You Love Me'.
2012: Comeback single 'Something New' released for Children In Need
Girls Aloud scored another Number 2 on the UK Charts when they released charity comeback single 'Something New' for Children In Need in 2012.
The band performed the hit track live during the official Children In Need fundraiser in November 2012.
2012: Girls Aloud meet The Queen
Returning to The Royal Variety Performance in December 2012 to perform their hit single 'The Promise', Cheryl, Nadine, Nicola, Sarah and Kimberley were introduced to Her Majesty The Queen backstage.
2012: 10 Years at the Top
To celebrate 10 years since Girls Aloud were formed on Popstars: The Rivals, ITV commissioned a one-off celebratory TV show called Girls Aloud: 10 Years at the Top.
Airing in December 2012, the documentary highlighted the group's success across the last decade.
2013: The 'Ten' tour
To support their 'Ten' album, Girls Aloud embarked on their sixth and final arena tour throughout February-March, playing 20 dates to their beloved fans.
The group's final tour made an impressive £7.8 million, with a DVD release titled Ten – The Hits Tour being released later in 2013.
2013: Girls Aloud split for good
Just hours after performing their final show at The Echo Arena in Liverpool on 20th March 2013, Girls Aloud announced they would be splitting up for good.
The girls released the following statement, "Dear Alouders, we just want to say from the bottom of our hearts Thank you!! This tour has been an amazing experience and the perfect chance to say thank you for being on this journey with us through a decade. It has far exceeded any of our dreams and we hope we are forever your inspiration and reminder that dreams really do glitter!! Your love and support will stay with us forever but we have now come to the end of our incredible time together. Love you lots."
2023: Girls Aloud announce a re-release of 'Sound Of The Undergroud'
Girls Aloud announce the re-release of both their debut song 'Sound Of The Underground' and their album of the same name. The new version of the song is an alternative vocal mix, and the album will feature a number of unheard versions of songs along with photos.
2023: Girls Aloud reunite
After years of reunion rumours, in November 2023 Girls Aloud announced they'd officially reunited! The group announced a huge arena tour for May/June 2024, in what they are calling a celebration of Sarah.
2023: Girls Aloud celebrate 21st anniversary
Just one week after announcing their comeback, Girls Aloud celebrated the 21st anniversary of forming on Popstars: The Rivals on 30th November 2023. Sharing a number of photos from over the years on social media, the girls wrote: 'Today marks 21 years to the day since #GirlsAloud were formed…little did we know what lay ahead for us individually or as a band. Its been a rollercoaster and you have been by our side through it all 💖'. (sic)
Are Girls Aloud releasing new music?
Despite reuniting for a 2024 tour, at the moment there's no word that Girls Aloud have recorded any new music.
HOWEVER, rumours have been rife that they've been back in the studio, and have recorded a brand new music video. At the time of writing though, nothing is official.
Although, it's not brand new music, in 2024, Girls Aloud released a 20th anniversary re-issue of their 2004 album 'What Will The Neighbours Say?', along with three unreleased songs from the vault. The songs are called 'Disco Bunny', 'Baby When You Go', and the cover of Chris Isaak's 1991 single 'Wicked Game'.
How did Girls Aloud celebrate their 20th anniversary?
On 30th November 2022, Girls Aloud celebrated 20 years since they formed on Popstars: The Rivals. Remembering their time together, Kimberley shared several photos from her time as part of Girls Aloud.
She also wrote an emotional caption saying: 'Happy 20 years girls! Wow I am proud of what we achieved and love you all much. There is a huge hole in my heart that Sarah isn’t here to celebrate this with us but I am looking through pictures, sobbing and remembering all the amazing times we shared. A girl band is a bond that no one can ever break. The memories will always stay with us forever ♥️✨#GA20 #20years'.
Then, in April 2023, the band announced they would be releasing a special edition of their debut album 'Sound of The Underground', along with an alternative vocal version of their debut song of the same name.
How did Girls Aloud celebrate their 21st anniversary?
As well as announcing a reunion and a comeback tour for 2024, Girls Aloud shared a number of photos on social media on Thursday 30th November, celebrating 21 years since they formed on Popstars: The Rivals.
The band wrote: 'Today marks 21 years to the day since #GirlsAloud were formed…little did we know what lay ahead for us individually or as a band. Its been a rollercoaster and you have been by our side through it all 💖'. (sic)
Remembering Sarah Harding:
Sadly, in September 2021, Sarah Harding passed away at the age of 39 after losing her battle with cancer. Sarah's mum Marie announced the heartbreaking news on Sunday 5th September, writing on social media:
"It’s with deep heartbreak that today I’m sharing the news that my beautiful daughter Sarah has sadly passed away. Many of you will know of Sarah’s battle with cancer and that she fought so strongly from her diagnosis until her last day. She slipped away peacefully this morning. I’d like to thank everyone for their kind support over the past year.
"It meant the world to Sarah and it gave her great strength and comfort to know she was loved. I know she won’t want to be remembered for her fight against this terrible disease – she was a bright shining star and I hope that’s how she can be remembered instead - Marie x."
In June 2022, Girls Aloud announced they'd teamed up with Cancer Research for a special event called Race for Life for Sarah.
Nadine, Nicola and Cheryl were all in attendance for the 5K race, with Kimberley taking part with her family abroad.
In late-September 2022 it was revealed Girls Aloud had planned a fundraising gala called The Primrose Ball, which took place on Saturday 8th October at The Londoner Hotel, with a star-studded guest list.
The event was named The Primrose Ball in tribute to the band's hit single 'The Promise', which includes Sarah singing the lyrics: "Here I am, walking primrose".
Girls Aloud also teamed up with Primark to release a nightwear range for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The pyjama sets range between £14-18, with sizes between XS and XL. Fans can buy the range from Sunday 1st October, with 50% of proceeds going to Cancer Research UK and The Christie Charitable Fund for Sarah Harding.
Posting on Instagram, Nicola wrote: 'The overwhelming donation from Primark has meant we are well on our way to achieving our promise to Sarah. We feel a sense of responsibility to honour her wish to raise money that could prevent other women finding themselves in the terrifying situation she was in. To take on this baton is nothing short of a privilege. We really hope everyone loves the nightwear collection and will join us in raising as much money as possible. The inspiration for the design was taken from the commissioned portrait of Sarah by the Conor Brothers. “The darkest nights produce the brightest stars.”
'Lots of love to @harry_lambert for being part of our team for this and creatively directing the shoot.
'£500,000 has been donated by Primark towards the vital research we’re funding as well as 50% of the sale price of our pjs being given in equal portions to The Christie’s hospital and Cancer research UK'. (sic)
In October, it was also announced that to mark the 20th anniversary of 'Sound Of The Underground', the group would be releasing a special seven-inch single vinyl in honour of Sarah, with 100% of the profits going to The Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal. 5,000 copies are due to be released on 9th December.
In November 2023, Girls Aloud confirmed they would be reuniting for a 2024 tour, admitting it will be in celebration of Sarah.
Why did Girls Aloud split in 2013?
Although Girls Aloud's split announcement in March 2013 seemed amicable at the time, a number of rumours later emerged that there was massive tension between certain members of the group, with Irish singer Nadine hinting at a feud.
Tweeting not long after the split announcement, Nadine told fans, 'You should know by now I had no part in any of this split business. I couldn't stop them. I had the best time & want to keep going.'
Nadine later went on to carry out an interview with the Daily Mail, where she claimed she knew nothing about the group's decision to split.
She said at the time: "Not one of them had breathed a word. I know it sounds incredible but it’s true.
"It was the last night of the tour. I was in my dressing room getting ready when the management came in and said, 'We need to talk to you. The girls want to split up the band and this is the statement they want to put out.'
"I thought 'What?' I said, 'I don’t want the band to split up.' They said, 'We know you don’t, but that’s what’s happening.'
"I said, 'Don’t put the statement out. I haven’t read it properly and I have to get dressed. We’re about to go on stage.'
"I went straight to Sarah and said, 'Do you want out of the band too?”' She said, 'Yes I do.' I felt numb. It was shock. I definitely hadn’t seen that coming..."
After Cheryl hit back at Nadine's claims, a feud between the band seemed to go on for a number of years, but Nadine confirmed during her time on I'm A Celeb in 2019 that they just 'drifted apart'.
When fellow contestant Kate Garraway boldly asked why she wasn't friends with them anymore, Nadine replied: "Everyone gets on with their lives, I was friends with them all, it was all nice and lovely.
"But I was always in the gay bars with all the guys, I’d be out partying, me and 10 guys, I was having a laugh, I was 18-19 years old."
However, all members of Girls Aloud are friends again, with the whole band supporting Sarah through her cancer diagnosis and paying touching tributes when she sadly passed away in September 2021.
What has Cheryl said about a Girls Aloud reunion in the past?
Following the axing of BBC show The Greatest Dancer in 2020, which Cheryl was a judge on, an insider told new! magazine that the mum-of-one is very open to the idea of a 2022 reunion, telling the publication: "Cheryl is in talks to make a dramatic return to Girls Aloud and bury the hatchet with Nadine so they can tour again.
"Being in lockdown and having time to reflect on what her next big step will be, Cheryl has opened her mind to working with the girls again.”
However, in January 2023, Cheryl spoke to Mail Online where she admitted the girls haven't spoken about work since the sad passing of Sarah.
Cheryl said of the Girls Aloud reunion rumours: "We haven't spoken about Girls Aloud stuff since we learned of Sarah's diagnosis.
"What Sarah's departure did do was bring us all really a lot closer, just as women as mothers as friends. But we haven't spoken about anything work related for many years now.
"It wouldn't feel quite like Girls Aloud without her because she was such a big character and a big part of it.
"I've learned throughout my life you should never say never but we're just closer at the moment as friends and I love how we are right now. Work just hasn't crept in at all. We're not there yet."
What has Nadine said about a Girls Aloud reunion in the past?
Speaking about a potential reunion on Angela Scanlon’s Thanks A Million podcast, I'm A Celeb star Nadine said: "There’s been loads of conversations and people now are getting in contact, like, “What do we do?” It’s still early.
"I’m 34 years old so to think that I’ve been doing anything for 20 years is shocking, isn’t it?"
After Sarah's sad passing in 2021, Nadine then spoke to the Daily Mirror, hinting the band could reunite in order to honour Sarah in 2022.
Nadine said: “It is so surreal to me to think about Girls Aloud as a four. It is still raw.
“But it is our 20th anniversary next year and it would be really nice for the fans for us to do something.
“I am so proud of everything we achieved together as a band.”
But it was her words in April 2022 that really got fans excited.
She told OK! Magazine: "We’re planning a night for an event to raise money in honour of Sarah. She’s very much in the forefront of our minds.
“We want to raise money for a piece of medical equipment that helps diagnose cancer earlier so people can be treated. We definitely want to do something to help others."
What has Nicola said about a Girls Aloud reunion in the past?
When asked about a potential reunion after winning series one of The Masked Singer last year, Nicola said: "I would love to get back with the girls - we just have to cross that bridge when the anniversary comes and see where we're all at.
"We'd love to do that for the fans."
What has Kimberley said about a Girls Aloud reunion in the past?
Kimba seemed to drop the biggest hint yet the band could be reuniting, telling The One Show: “It’s 20 years in 2022 so we’re feeling a bit of outside pressure now.
“People keep asking if we’re making any plans and we actually haven’t made any yet, but we’re definitely feeling a bit of pressure from the outside so you never know.”
Well, after a decade of rumours, the girls are now back!
Welcome back, Girls Aloud! 🙌
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