It’s been more than a decade since Girls Aloud last took to the stage together, but fans of the pop group are in for a welcome surprise.
Cheryl, Kimberley, Nadine and Nicola are set to reunite for an arena tour in 2024 in memory of their late bandmate, Sarah Harding.
Harding died aged 39 from breast cancer in 2021.
The group posted a video on social media to announce the news on Wednesday (November 22). “Announcing the Girls Aloud Show arena tour next May/June 2024," they said. "A celebration of Sarah, our music & our incredible fans. We can’t wait to sing & dance with you again.”
Cheryl told the BBC: “It hasn’t felt right, until now, to do anything without her. But now we feel strong enough, emotionally.
Kimberley Walsh added: “For us, it will feel very much like she’s there. She came alive on stage. That was the happiest she ever was. With grief, there’s definitely a shift where it’s like, ‘OK, you’re ready to celebrate that person.’”
However, the band denied reports that they have also recorded a new album and filmed a music video.
"There is no new music and there is no video – although we've shot a commercial," Nadine Coyle said.
"Making new music without Sarah would be odd," Cheryl confirmed. "But celebrating what we made together? Fabulous."
Girls Aloud were formed 21 years ago on reality TV show Popstars: The Rivals. The show created a boy band, One True Voice, and a girl band who were pitted against each other for that year’s Christmas No 1.
The boy group were expected to perform better, but Girls Aloud stole the show with the drum-and-bass hit Sound of the Underground, recorded only days after the band formed.
They went on to become the UK’s biggest-selling girl group of the century, landing 20 more top 10 hits, including three further number ones and Brit Award-winning single The Promise.
Four of their five studio albums also made the Top 10.
The group first split in 2009 after playing Wembley Stadium with Coldplay, before reuniting for new music and a 10th anniversary tour in 2012-13.
They had planned a second reunion to celebrate their 20th anniversary, but then Harding was diagnosed with breast cancer.
When are Girls Aloud going on tour?
The Girls Aloud reunion tour kicks off in Dublin in May 2024, and will close out in Liverpool in June.
The full 2024 tour dates are:
Saturday, May 18 - 3Arena Dublin
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Monday, May 20 - SSE Arena Belfast
Tuesday, May 21 - SSE Arena Belfast
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Thursday and Friday, May 23, 24- Manchester AO Arena
Saturday, May 25 - Manchester AO Arena
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Monday, May 27- Cardiff Utilita Arena
Tuesday, May 28 - Sheffielf Utilita Arena
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Friday, May 31 & Saturday, June 1- Newcastle Utilita Arena
Sunday, June 2 - Newcastle Utilita Arena
Tuesday, June 4- Aberdeen P&J Live
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Saturday, June 8- Glasgow OVO Hydro
Sunday, June 9 - Glasgow OVO Hydro
Monday, June 10 - Glasgow OVO Hydro
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Wednesday, June 12- Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
Thursday, June 13 - Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
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Saturday, June 15- Leeds First Direct Arena
Sunday, June 16 - Leeds First Direct Arena
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Tuesday, June 18- Birmingham Resorts World Arena
Wednesday, June 19 - Birmingham Resorts World Arena
Thursday, June 20 - Birmingham Resorts World Arena
Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, June 22, 23, 24, 25 - London The O2
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Saturday and Sunday, June 29 and 30 - Liverpool M&S Bank Arena
How to get tickets
A pre-sale will begin on Wednesday, November 29, at 9am, with the general sale on Friday, December 1 at the same time.
Tickets are available via the Girls Aloud official website.
