GIRLS Aloud are back after more than a decade away.
The pop superstars secretly reunited in a north London studio to shoot the music video for their first single in 11 years.
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Girls Aloud return after more than a decade Credit: Getty
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Producers plan to include footage of Sarah, who tragically died of breast cancer, in new Girls Aloud music video Credit: Cancer Research UK
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The secret reunion marks a remarkable comeback for the chart-topping group Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Cheryl Tweedy, Nadine Coyle, Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts have dedicated a new song to bandmate Sarah Harding, who died of cancer in 2021 aged 39.
The reunion marks a remarkable comeback for the chart-topping group, who were dogged by feud rumors before they split in 2013.
A music source said: “This has been one of the best kept secrets in pop, but now it’s actually happening.
“The girls really came back together as friends to come together when Sarah died, and it mended some of the old rifts and put things into perspective. Suddenly, a reunion that had seemed completely impossible for so long just felt completely natural – to Sara’s credit.”
The four bandmates arrived in separate cars at the studio in north London, wearing hats and glasses to avoid being recognised.
The video for their new single — the band’s first in 11 years — features the girls playing superhero characters complete with Wonder Woman-style costumes and capes.
The band — formed in 2002 on ITV talent show Pop Stars: The Rivals — are said to be delighted to be working together again.
And they say they plan to make more music – before they hit the road.
The insider added: “They have a single and a video in the tank, plans for a full record of new music, and the most exciting thing for fans will be a big reunion tour in 2024.
“It’s going to be huge — and everyone is really excited to be working together again, even if there is a bittersweet element to it.
“Of course, whatever they do, there will always be a nod to Sara’s contribution to the group.”
Millions of viewers watched as the five members of Girls Aloud were chosen as finalists by ITV Pop Stars judges Pete Waterman, Louis Walsh and Spice Girl Geri Halliwell.
They went on to beat fellow boyband One True Voice — and then took the coveted Christmas No.1 spot with their debut single, Sound of the Underground.
A glittering career saw them score a record 20 consecutive top ten singles, including four No. 1s, and five Brit Award nominations.
However, the band then announced that they would be taking a break to focus on other projects in 2009.
The girls have been the subject of repeated rumors of a rift – Cheryl, Nicola and Kimberley formed a close trio and regularly clashed with Nadine and Sarah.
Their next single, Something New, did not appear until November 2012, when they reunited for their tenth anniversary tour.
They then announced they were splitting up for good after their last concert in March 2013 – much to Nadine’s apparent surprise.
She later claimed she was blindsided by the other four girls’ decision to end the band without consulting her.
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Girls Aloud would call each of their members, especially Cheryl, by household names. Credit: Getty
Nadine said she was told just minutes before going on stage for their final show on the Ten: The Hits tour. She added: “I didn’t want the band to end, it was that simple.
“I didn’t think we would finish – and then on the last night of the tour our management and publicist approached me and said the girls wanted to break up the band. I was like, ‘What?!'”
She added: “I screamed and cried on and off stage.”
The group released a statement announcing the split just minutes after their last date.
In a statement, they told their army of fans: “Dear Alouders, we just want to say from the bottom of our hearts, ‘Thank you’!
“This tour has been an incredible experience and the perfect opportunity to thank you for being on this journey with us over a decade.
“He has far exceeded all our dreams and we hope to forever be your inspiration and reminder that dreams really do shine! Your love and support will stay with us forever, but now we have come to the end of our amazing time together. I love you so much.”
Girls Aloud made each of its members household names, especially Cheryl who became the most famous British pop star of the period thanks to her stunning looks and high-profile love life.
She also had the most successful solo music career outside of the band, with five number one singles and two number one albums.
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Millions of viewers watched as the five members of Girls Aloud were chosen as finalists by the ITV Pop Stars judges Credits: check copyright
The mum-of-one was married twice, first to former England and Chelsea footballer Ashley Cole and then to nightclub promoter Jean-Bernardo Fernandez-Versini.
Cheryl also had a relationship with One Direction singer Liam Payne, with whom she has a son, Bear.
In 2006, she was one of England’s Wags at the World Cup in Germany, alongside Victoria Beckham and Coleen Rooney.
She has also been a judge on The X Factor and the face of major fashion and beauty brands including L’Oreal.
Kimberley has enjoyed a successful stage career since the band broke up and almost won Strictly, while Nadine and Nicola have released solo records.
Sarah began acting during the band’s hiatus, starring in St Trinian’s 2 in 2009. After the split, she appeared on Coronation Street and won Celebrity Big Brother 2017.
In August 2020, she announced that she had breast cancer that had spread.
Her memoir, Hear Me Out, was published in 2021, documenting her life, career and terminal diagnosis.
Last October, the four remaining bandmates came together to pay tribute to Sarah at an emotional event in London.
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