Girls Aloud's biggest career moments

With hits like 'Love Machine', 'Biology' and 'The Promise', there's no denying the fact pop group 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, going on a UK and Ireland tour for May/June 2024, in celebration of the late Sarah Harding.

Have Girls Aloud reunited?

They have! 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 performed their biggest hits in May and June, in cities such as Dublin, Belfast, Liverpool, Newcastle, Birmingham, and Nottingham.

The girls also headlined Brighton Pride on Saturday 3rd August 2024.

Biggest arena tour of 2024:

Following the tour, it was revealed Girls Aloud have the biggest arena tour of 2024 to date. Everybody associated with the sold-out tour were awarded with a special plaque to celebrate its success.

Girls Aloud's publicist Simon Jones posted a photo of his plaque online.

Are Girls Aloud still on tour?

Girls Aloud's tour kicked off in Dublin on Friday 17th May 2024, with the final show in Liverpool on Sunday 30th June 2024.

See the full list of dates below:

MAY 2024

Dublin, 3Arena - Fri 17th (ADDED DATE)

Dublin, 3Arena - Sat 18th

Belfast, SSE Arena - Mon 20th

Manchester, AO Arena - Thurs 23rd

Manchester, AO Arena - Fri 24th

Manchester, AO Arena - Sat 25th (ADDED DATE)

Cardiff, Utilita Arena - Mon 27th

Newcastle, Utilita Arena - Fri 31st

JUNE 2024

Newcastle, Utilita Arena - Sat 1st

Newcastle, Utilita Arena - Sun 2nd (ADDED DATE)

Aberdeen, P&J Live - Tues 4th

Glasgow, OVO Hydro - Sat 8th

Glasgow, OVO Hydro - Sun 9th (ADDED DATE)

Glasgow, OVO Hydro - Mon 10th (ADDED DATE)

Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena - Weds 12th

Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena - Thur 13th (ADDED DATE)

Leeds, First Direct Arena - Sat 15th

Leeds, First Direct Arena - Sat 16th (ADDED DATE)

Birmingham, Resorts World Arena - Tues 18th

Birmingham, Resorts World Arena - Wed 19th (ADDED DATE)

Birmingham, Resorts World Arena - Thur 20th (ADDED DATE)

London, The O2 - Sat 22nd

London, The O2 - Sun 23rd

London, The O2 - Tue 25th (ADDED DATE)

London, The O2 - Wed 26th (ADDED DATE)

London, The O2 - Thur 27th (ADDED DATE)

Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena - Sat 29th

Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena - Sun 30th (ADDED DATE)

How can I watch the tour?

Following the success of show, ITV/STV bosses have now confirmed The Girls Aloud Show: Live from The O2 will air in November.

A one-hour highlights show will air at 8pm on Sunday 17th November, before the extended version streams on ITVX and STV Player.

Girls Aloud at Brighton Pride:

Nicola, Cheryl, Nadine and Kimberley took to the stage at Brighton and Hove Pride on Saturday 3rd August, playing a 20-song set list, featuring a cover of Madonna's 'Material Girl'.

Girls Aloud were also joined on stage by Olly Alexander for a performance of 'The Loving Kind', a track which was missed out of their tour earlier in the year.

Other classic hits included 'Something New', 'Love Machine', and 'Sound of The Underground'.

Girls Aloud's biggest career moments to date:

Are Girls Aloud releasing new music?

Despite reuniting for a 2024 tour, Girls Aloud confirmed they have no plans to release any new music.

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'.

On Friday 17th May 2024, the girls also released a 38-minute Megamix of their biggest hits.

In November 2024, Girls Aloud announced the news that they'll be releasing a brand new version of 'I'll Stand By You', in support of Children In Need. The original track was the official charity single in 2004, and the girls are re-releasing Sarah's version of the single for 2024.

Girls Aloud announced the news on social media, writing: 'This year marks the 20th anniversary of our BBC @bbccin single ‘I’ll Stand By You’. To celebrate and honour our amazing Sarah, we’re releasing a brand-new studio version of the track once again in support of BBC’s @bbccin. ‘I’ll Stand By You (Sarah’s Version)’ features Sarah on lead vocal throughout using vocals we discovered in the Girls Aloud vault from the original recording sessions. The track played a key part in our ‘The Girls Aloud Show’ arena tour this summer and was an emotional moment for us all'. (sic)

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.

Girls Aloud paid tribute to Sarah throughout their entire reunion tour. The girls got emotional during tracks such as 'I'll Stand By You' and 'Whole Lotta History', whilst fans in the crowd were in tears during the performances.

During the final show on 30th June, a screen popped up at the end of the show saying: 'In Loving memory of Sarah Nicole Harding'.

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! 🙌

Now read:

Everything you need to know about Girls Aloud's reunion tour

Cheryl: Everything you need to know about the Girls Aloud singer

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• Sarah Harding
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