CHERYL:
As Girls Aloud reunite to honour their former bandmate Sarah Harding, insiders say Cheryl is adamant that the band will get along and avoid any fallouts
They’ve not released a track in more than 10 years, but Cheryl Cole, Nadine Coyle, Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts have thrilled Girls Aloud fans after reuniting.
Making their first public appearance after announcing their comeback as they headed into a radio interview last week, the band confirmed a tour next spring to mark the 21st anniversary of them winning talent show Popstars: The Rivals.
Cheryl told Radio 2 listeners, “I think there is an energy that does makes it feel right. It’s the right time to celebrate Sarah, it’s the right time to celebrate the band and the right time to celebrate the fact we can still do this 21 years later.”
And insiders say that mum-of-one Cheryl, 40, is adamant that with the focus firmly on paying tribute to late bandmate Sarah Harding – who tragically died aged just 39 in 2021 – it will help avoid the tensions that affected the group in the past.
UNITED
The source tells Closer, “It’s no secret that there were fights in the band back in the day, causing tension and jealousy, but the girls are more mature now. They all regret anything that might have been perceived as ‘mean-girl’ behaviour. They’ve been through so much together –the toughest being losing Sarah. They already know they owe it to her not to mess this up and to be completely professional and give the fans everything they’ve got.
“But understandably emotions are going to be running high and the truth is that all four girls don’t know how they will feel about getting back on-stage until it happens. Cheryl is aware that there will be lots of emotions, but she is really focused on being ‘mediator’ and making sure she listens to everyone and tries to dissipate any drama.”
Sarah tragically died of breast cancer following a terminal diagnosis just six months earlier. Her passing marked a turning point in the remaining band members’ relationships, with a source saying at the time, “The girls really came together as friends to rally around when Sarah died, and it repaired some of the old rifts and put things into perspective.”
After taking part in a charity event last summer, raising money for breast cancer research, Cher
