Girls Aloud is a UK all-girl band which was created out of television show Popstars: The Rivals in 2002. They auditioned several thousand young hopefuls and created one girl band (Girls Aloud) and a boy band, One True Voice.

Then in Christmas 2002 the two bands battled for the number one position in the UK's singles chart. Girls Aloud won with their single "Sound of the Underground". Their debut album of the same name was released in May 2003, following the #2 hit 'No Good Advice,' which proved Girls Aloud weren't going to be one-hit wonders.

"Life Got Cold" (#3) and "Jump" (#2) - cover of a Pointer Sisters song which featured on the soundtrack to 2003's Love Actually - were also released in 2003. Both recieved great feedback from the British public and helped increase sales of the album, which reached platinum status at the end of the year.

Their first 2004 single, "The Show", also debuted at #2 as did "Love Machine" - a track which split opinion but became one of the years anthems. They finally hit Number 1 again with their next single, a cover of The Pretenders' "I'll Stand By You," released towards the end of November. It was the official single of the Children in Need 2004 appeal.

Their second album, entitled What Will The Neighbours Say? was released on November 29 and entered the album charts at no.6, going platinum in under one month. Their next single "Wake Me Up" was released on February 21 and charted at No. 4.

Success in 2004 and unbelievable sales of their second album, which easily out-performed the first, resulted in the group announcing a tour for May 2005. Tickets sold fast and the inital 17 date tour grew to 24 dates in a matter of weeks.

Members

• Cheryl Tweedy, born June 30, 1983 in Newcastle, England
• Sarah Harding, born November 17, 1981 in Manchester, England
• Nicola Roberts, born October 15, 1985 in Stamford, England
• Nadine Coyle, born June 15, 1985 in Derry, Northern Ireland
• Kimberley Walsh, born November 20, 1981 in Bradford, England

External links

• Official site