The countdown has begun for their 2024 tour, but as Girls Aloud see a huge popularity boom, insiders say Cheryl is adamant that she should lead her bandmates to success
Within minutes of releasing tickets for their 2024 show arena tour next year, the reunion of Girls Aloud had officially broken the internet as fans scrambled to get their hands on them.
It’s been 11 years since the girl band phenomena parted ways back in 2012 and over two decades since they first formed on Popstars:The Rivals in 2002. But as Cheryl, Kimberley Walsh, Nadine Coyle and Nicola Roberts took to their promotional tour earlier this month, the girls were already in sync with perfectly coiffed ’dos and colour-coordinating outfits.
And as Closer recently reported, following the devastating loss of their band mate Sarah Harding to breast cancer last year at the age of 39, the band had vowed to put past feuds or tensions behind them to give fans the best time and honour her.
However, with extra arena dates being added to the tour and the likes of Vogue jostling for time with the band, a source tells Closer that the effects of the girls’ new lease of fame have snowballed – and Cheryl is adamant that they need someone to take charge.
PACK LEADER
The insider says, “Cheryl feels as though she has earned herself the position at the top spot of the group now that they've reformed a second time around, this time as a four piece.
“With her solo success and all the big names in pop that she’s worked with, so far it’s a case of ‘Cheryl knows best’. She’s presenting herself as the leader of the pack.
“It’s not that Cheryl looks down at the other girls, she just thinks it’s a no-brainer that as the most successful solo artist she should have a bigger say in all the major decisions.”
While Cheryl, 40, Nadine, 38, Kimberley, 42, and Nicola, 38, have so far put on a united front for interviews that have visibly left them on the verge of tears as they reminisce on their time with Sarah, rumours of jealousy within the band have been circulating ever since their shock split.
In 2017, Nadine admitted, “There’s always politics in any band… It’s so sad for me to have to admit this stuff now… you want everybody to think we’re best friends and we have pillow fights and, you know, drink milkshakes.
“That’s what I wanted it to be…but it just wasn’t how it was. So yeah there was [a divide]. We’re all very, very different characters.”
SOLO SUCCESS
Reports also emerged that the other girls had been jealous of Cheryl’s success when she won over music mogul and her former X Factor boss, Simon Cowell – joining The X Factor in 2008.
The following year, the band announced they would be taking a
