5 days Ago By Jessica Sansome,Gemma Jones
The timing of Girls Aloud's ITV special , airing on Sunday night (November 17), holds a poignant significance. Earlier this year, the girl group embarked on their first tour in 11 years, which was met with critical acclaim and sold-out venues. Nadine Coyle, Cheryl , Kimberley Walsh, and Nicola Roberts kicked off The Girls Aloud Show on May 17, 2024, in Dublin, Ireland, and concluded on June 30, 2024, in Liverpool , England.
The tour served as a celebration of the group's music, their fans, and their late bandmate - the dearly missed Sarah Harding . The decision to reunite was one of Sarah's wishes for the group. The star, who hailed from Stockport and had been part of the girl band since their formation on Popstars: The Rivals in 2002, tragically passed away at the age of 39 in September 2021 after being diagnosed with terminal breast cancer.
The Girls Aloud Show: Live at The O2 recorded in London at the end of June during the tour, which saw the band perform to over 300,000 people, featured heartfelt tributes to Sarah and made its television debut this evening. The show's highlights, along with some exclusive behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, aired as a one-hour special on Sunday night (November 17) at 8pm on ITV1. The same content will also be broadcast as a one-hour special later this autumn on ITV1, reports the Manchester Evening News .
Additionally, the full extended arena show will be available to stream on ITVX. The chosen date for the show holds a special significance as it would have marked Sarah's 43rd birthday. Upon hearing the announcement, fans took to social media to express their sentiments, with @whatacutename posting: "The girls aloud show live at the o2 being aired on Sarah's birthday just feels so right.
" @Joshlovesit87 also shared his thoughts, tweeting: "The fact Girls Aloud are releasing Sarah's version of "I'll Stand By You" on the same day it was released 20 years ago and The Tour is being shown on Sarah's birthday is so special. We all miss you so much angel, I'm sure you are shining down beyond proud. #GirlsAloud.
" @DJFreedom2022 chimed in with: "It will air on our Sarah's birthday. (I'm not crying, you are) #TheGirlsAloudShow." The tour served as a grand celebration of Girls Aloud's rich musical legacy and the trailblazing success they've achieved as a band.
As the most successful girl group of the noughties, Girls Aloud have sold over 5 million albums in the UK alone. They hold the Guinness World Record for their impressive streak of 20 consecutive UK Top 10 singles. Their hit 'Sound of the Underground' clinched the top spot as the 2002 Christmas Number One, staying at the summit for four weeks and selling over half a million copies.
Girls Aloud were nominated for five Brit awards and bagged the Best Single award for The Promise. They were twice invited to record the official single for Children in Need..
