The group gave their first performance in 11 years to 13,000 fans at a sold-out 3Arena in Dublin last night.
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Back and better than ever, they said they were embarking on their reunion tour to show their kids what they became famous for.
Cheryl, Nadine and Kimberley have five kids between them and they are all eager to see the gigs.
But it was also bittersweet for Nicola Roberts, Cheryl Tweedy, Nadine Coyle and Kimberley Walsh, as it was their first time on stage since the death of bandmate Sarah Harding from cancer in 2021.
‘Bring back memories’
Reminiscing about a time with her bandmate, Cheryl said: “Sarah stayed with me for about a week and she was throwing around ideas of how we could celebrate 20 years of Girls Aloud while she was still here.
“At one point, she did say to us, ‘Even if I can’t make it, I hope you girls do it without me’.”
Kimberley added: “One of our main aims on this tour is to do Sarah justice and give us and our fans that moment to celebrate her.
“I think they need it — I think we all need it.”
Cheryl said: “I think one of our driving forces is that our kids are going to see us on stage and think we’re actually cool.
“They’re going to see Mammy on stage!”
Girls Aloud, who split in 2013 after a whopping 21 Top Ten hits including their first Sound Of the Underground, have been rehearsing for five weeks to prepare for the tour.
They shared photos from the dance studio and their plane journey to Ireland on Instagram.
Speaking about the impact of their back catalogue, Cheryl said: “I want us to bring back happy memories for people.
“I love listening to music that transports me to the way I felt at a different time, and I think Girls Aloud are that band for a lot of people.”
Kimberley continued: “I think I’m only realising now just how much our music means to people.
“I get so many different kinds of people approaching me to say our songs hold special memories for them.”
The tour will continue across the UK until the end of June before they headline Brighton Pride in August.
Looks like demand has been so high there will be even more to come.
Glastonbury next year, ladies?
Rihanna has bags of style
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RIHANNA went back to the Nineties for a night out in New York.
She was photographed carrying the “It bag” of the era, a small black Dior number which comes with a big price tag – at £4,900 a pop.
The singer was spotted outside Italian restaurant Mamo, where she was helping a relative to celebrate his graduation.
Tom’s a Cologne ranger
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TOM HARDY doesn’t just look good now, he smells pretty decent too.
The Peaky Blinders actor has shaved his head after he was confirmed as the new face of perfume firm Jo Malone London.
We revealed in January how Tom had signed a mega-money deal to become the company’s new ambassador.
He said: “I realise I am the ambassador for Cypress & Grapevine Cologne Intense, but what are the chances of it actually being utterly divine? It’s extremely rare. But it actually is.”
I’d say anything smelled decent if I was getting a six-figure cheque in the post.
Script return
THE SCRIPT are returning with their first album since the death of guitarist Mark Sheehan.
They have dropped a new single called Both Ways and will release an album called Satellites on August 16, followed by a UK arena tour in November.
Danny O’Donoghue said of Mark’s death in April last year: “It’ll never be the same Script.
“We’re just trying to do what we all feel is the next right thing to do.”
Flock n roll
Caught Live – by Paul Davies
THESE once conflicted brothers of a feather are finally back flocking together in perfect harmony.
Chris and Rich Robinson brewed a heady blend of soulful Southern blues rock from their back catalogue and current back-on-form album Happiness Bastards – which fans lapped up.
New song set openers Bedside Manner and Rats And Clowns were perfect start-me-up tunes before they leaned heavily into classic Twice As Hard, a singalong Jealous Again, Thorn In My Pride, She Talks To Angels and musical cure for all, Remedy.
A raucous encore of Aerosmith’s Mama Kin proved everyone had plenty to crow about.
☆☆☆☆
TIME’S up for Eminem’s alter-ego Slim Shady.
The US rapper has this week quietly been placing obituaries for Slim – including in The Times.
Eminem’s newspaper ad describes Slim as a “rogue splinter” who made a name for himself in the Nineties.
It continued: “His complex and tortured existence has come to a close, and the legacy he leaves behind is no closer to resolution than the manner in which this character departed this world.”
It’s a bit deep but great publicity for Eminem – whose new album is due soon.
RIP Slim, and thanks for the music.