A tragic death and reality TV appearances: Where are the members of Girls Aloud now?

It's hard to believe that two decades have gone by since Girls Aloud were formed on British reality TV show, Popstars: The Rivals, becoming one of the biggest girl groups of all time.

The five-piece act made up of Cheryl (she goes by just Cheryl now after divorcing from her husband Ashley Cole], Nicola Roberts, Nadine Coyle, Kimberley Walsh, and the late Sarah Harding had to battle it out against a rival boy band, One True Voice, for the Christmas number one. 

In the end, the Girls Aloud song 'Sound of the Underground' easily beat their male rivals to the top of the charts.  

Watch: Breast cancer anthem 'I Touch Myself'. Story continues below.

In a recent interview with BBC News, Kimberley Walsh said that 'Sound of the Underground' was a life-changing song for the band.

"We knew we had hit gold when we heard it for the first time," Kimberley told the BBC.

"It's amazing. It was our first single 20 years ago, and it's still one of our most popular and most played songs. We're all very proud of it and it means a great deal to us."

Between 2002 and 2009, Girls Aloud had 20 consecutive top 10 singles, including a version of the Pointer Sisters' song 'Jump (For My Love)' that featured on the Love Actually soundtrack.

Despite their immediate commercial success, the band took a little longer to win over industry critics. 

After being nominated five times, they won their only Brit Award for the single 'The Promise' in 2009 with Sarah Harding telling the crowd that she thought it was 'about time'.

The group took a three-year hiatus in 2009 and reunited in 2012 to celebrate their 10th anniversary with an album and tour, before officially parting ways in 2013. Due to the fame and success of Girls Aloud, each of the members have maintained their profiles with various projects in the years since.

There was talk of a 20th anniversary tour for 2022, but following Sarah Harding's death from breast cancer last year, the other four members decided they didn't want to perform without her. Instead, they have been hosting events to raise money for cancer treatments and research, including a Race For Life and the Primrose Ball. 

Girls Aloud at the Brit Awards in 2009. Image: Getty.

They have marked the 20th anniversary of the chart topper that started it all by releasing a special edition vinyl version of 'Sound of the Underground'. 

Here's what else the band members have been up to after Girls Aloud, including how they have grieved the death of their friend Sarah Harding.

Sarah Harding.

Sarah Harding in 2018. Image: Getty.

During the band's temporary break and after the split in 2013, Sarah did some modelling work and began an acting career including a guest starring role on British soap Coronation Street in 2015. She released a solo album and took part in various reality television shows including Celebrity MasterChef. 

In 2017, she won the 20th series of Celebrity Big Brother after the public fell for her all over again.

In her autobiography Hear Me Out, published in March 2021, she wrote she wanted to prove to herself she could do it and show audiences her authentic self.

"I went in there intending to show people a different side of me. I’d also been portrayed in the media as this mad, off-the-rails party girl."

Sarah shared the news of her cancer diagnosis on social media in August 2020.

"Earlier this year, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and a couple of weeks ago I received the devastating news that the cancer has advanced to other parts of my body," she wrote.

"I am doing my very best to keep positive and will keep you updated here with how I’m getting on. In the meantime, I hope you’ll all understand and respect my request for privacy during this difficult time."

Following the announcement, Sarah had a mastectomy and chemotherapy, and in her autobiography, she shared how she wanted to throw "a great big f*** off party" to say thank you and goodbye to her friends.

"I'm trying to live and enjoy every second of my life, however long it might be. I am having a glass of wine or two during all this, because it helps me relax. I'm sure some people might think that's not a great idea, but I want to try to enjoy myself," she wrote.

"I'm at a stage now where I don't know how many months I have left. Who knows, maybe I'll surprise everyone, but that's how I'm looking at things."

Sarah died on September 5, 2021. She was 39.

Cheryl (then Tweedy and previously Cole).

Image: Getty.

While still with Girls Aloud, Cheryl, 39, was the first to go out on her own as a solo artist. She released four studio albums between 2009 and 2014 and was the first British female solo artist to have five number one singles in the UK. Cheryl also became well known for hosting the UK version of The X Factor between 2008 and 2011 and again in 2014 and 2015.

Her solo success, TV work and high-profile relationships (most famously with footballer Ashley Cole and One Direction singer Liam Payne) led Cheryl to become the most internationally well-known member of Girls Aloud with over 3.4 million followers on Instagram. 

While her relationship with Liam Payne ended in 2018, she gave birth to a son named Bear Grey Payne in March 2017, but keeps the details of her son's life largely private.

Cheryl has used her profile to raise money for various charities, including at the recent Primrose Ball held in honour of Sarah Harding. 

Kimberley Walsh.

Kimberley Walsh. Image: Getty.

Since 2013, Kimberley Walsh, 41, has mostly been acting, modelling and presenting. She has starred in a West End production of Shrek as Princess Fiona and more recently has been a regular on TV as a presenter for BBC Mornings Live.

She has three sons, Bobby, Cole and Nate, with her husband Justin Scott, a former boy band member who she married in 2016.

On her close friend and bandmate Sarah's death, Kimberley told Psychologies Magazine that the grief continues to knock her for six every day.

"Until you’re actually experiencing something like this with somebody who was close to you, it’s impossible to imagine what it’s going to feel like. And I honestly still can’t work out how you ever truly accept it," she said.

"I deal with it day to day and, for me, that’s about checking in with everyone, especially Sarah’s mum, and making sure that they’re okay too. It’s going to take time, and it’s very, very tough."

Nadine Coyle.

Nadine Coyle. Image: Getty.

Irish band member Nadine Coyle, 37, released a solo album, an EP and a number of singles after her time with Girls Aloud. She has been a regular on Irish and British television with stints on various reality shows including when she came fifth on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2019.

More recently, Nadine has become a brand ambassador for a skincare line as well as singing on TV for The Ultimate Irish Playlist.

She moved to LA in 2006 and was engaged to former American footballer Jason Bell. She gave birth to their daughter Anaíya Bell on February 10, 2014 but moved home to Northern Ireland to be closer to family in 2015. The pair later split in 2019.

Nadine was very close to Sarah and travelled to be with her when she first received her cancer diagnosis. 

Sarah's death in 2021 devastated her. "I can't think of words that could possibly express how I feel about this girl and what she means to me," she wrote on Instagram. "I know so many of you will be feeling this way. For now, I'm sending so much love to you."

Nicola Roberts.

Nicole Roberts. Image: Getty.

Nicola Roberts, 37, was the bandmate who didn't make it into the final 10 on Popstars: The Rivals but was brought back as a 'wild card' entrant after another girl left. She made it into the final five thanks to her vocal talents and has continued to enjoy a singing career, long after the band broke up.

She released her debut solo album in 2011 and two subsequent singles. She also won the first season of the UK version of The Masked Singer. Known for her unique style and love of fashion, Nicola makes regular appearances on red carpets, recently presenting an award at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards in London.

In a Hear Her Voice podcast interview with host Laura Whitmore earlier this year, Nicola said the death of Sarah still affects her greatly.

"Everybody deals with loss differently. I’m very much somebody who needs to process stuff by myself so I will just sort of go quiet and process it as much as I can alone. Some people might say that’s really unhealthy and some people need to just talk and talk and talk it out," she said.

"So I think it’s best to – unless I’m talking to the four girls, sorry, unless I’m talking to the other three girls – I just feel like I don’t need to talk about it to anyone else because they don’t get it."

Laura Jackel is Mamamia's Family Writer. For links to her articles and to see photos of her outfits and kids, follow her on Instagram and TikTok.

Feature Image: Getty.

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