Kimberley Walsh has revealed the future of Girls Aloud following their lucrative comeback tour, which saw them pay tribute to late bandmate Sarah Harding.
The singer, 42, told MailOnline she would have never agreed to perform again with co-stars Cheryl, Nadine Coyle and Nicola Roberts a decade ago but is relieved she took a chance on their 32-date reunion.
Mother-of-three Kimberley says the experience of performing their hits to sold out arenas was a ‘privilege’ – and she refuses to rule out going on the road and doing it all again.
Reuniting with her bandmates on stage was made even more special as they honoured Sarah, who tragically lost her life to breast cancer aged 39 in 2021.
But while she loved performing up and down the country, Kimberley admits she suffered from ‘anxiety’ over leaving her three children for the first time.
Kimberley Walsh has revealed the future of Girls Aloud following their lucrative comeback tour, which saw them pay tribute to late bandmate Sarah Harding
The singer told MailOnline she would have never agreed to perform again with Cheryl, Nadine Coyle and Nicola Roberts a decade ago but is relieved she took a chance on their reunion
Mother-of-three Kimberley says the experience of performing their hits to sold out arenas was a ‘privilege’ – and she refuses to rule out the chance to go on the road and do it all again
Reuniting with her bandmates on stage was made even more special as they honoured Sarah, who tragically lost her life to breast cancer aged 39 in 2021 (pictured in 2015)
Kimberley said: ‘If you had asked me 10 years ago if we would do this tour, I probably would have said no and that’s not because I had any bad feelings towards the band, I just didn’t think it was something that was on the cards.
‘But the reaction to this tour was mind-blowing and I don’t think any of us realised it would be quite on this scale, it was such a positive experience on so many levels.
‘Being with the girls and sharing everything now as mums and appreciating every single part of it in a different way is such a privilege I never thought I would have.
‘Right now, there are no plans, but I would never say that’s definitive, it is an open book now and what will be will be. If it all aligns again and feels like something we want to do, then never say never.’
The star described paying tribute to Sarah as ‘cathartic’ after the group performed with the late singer’s vocals during their track I’ll Stand By You.
They also remembered Sarah, who was diagnosed with cancer in August 2020 and passed away a year later, by playing footage of her singing one of their biggest hits, The Promise, on her own while Cheryl, Nadine, Nicola and Kimberley watched on.
Kimberley added: ‘Honouring Sarah was quite cathartic, it really was, as tough as the first part was, the planning – the rehearsals without her were painful.
‘But then seeing her honoured and her voice playing out in the arena again and people’s outpouring of love, seeing how happy it made her mum and all of that, it made us feel really amazing.’
Kimberley says the tour gave Girls Aloud the chance to perform their music to a new generation, including her children, Bobby, Cole and Nate, whom she shares with Justin Scott
The Morning Live presenter believes there isn’t enough pop music right now so Girls Aloud and music fans are longing for a soundtrack which isn’t available
Kimberley admits going on tour this year was a completely different experience to when she was performing with Girls Aloud in their noughties heyday
Kimberley says the tour gave Girls Aloud the chance to perform their music to a new generation of fans, including her young children, Bobby, 10, Cole, seven, and Nate, three, whom she shares with husband Justin Scott.
And the Morning Live presenter believes there isn’t enough pop music right now so Girls Aloud and music fans are longing for a soundtrack which isn’t available.
She said: ‘The younger generation responded so well to Girls Aloud.
‘I didn’t write the songs, but we have some great songs, and they do transcend generations. The music is quite timeless because it stands alone in a way, we have our own niche and our own style… It ages quite well.
‘Music in general is so different. This generation is craving something that isn’t being catered for right now. Music should be about escapism and joy but in my opinion there’s not enough pop music out there anymore.’
Kimberley admits going on tour this year was a completely different experience to when she was performing with Girls Aloud in their noughties heyday.
The band shot to stardom following their win on ITV’s Popstars: The Rivals in 2002, which saw debut single Sound of the Underground top the charts and become Christmas No1.
Kimberley has since become a mother to three boys and says leaving them for the first time in May ahead of opening night made her feel uneasy.
She said: ‘During the first couple of days, I was really anxious about being away from the boys because I had never really been apart from them for more than a night.
‘There were two nights once before for a job, which was a big deal for me because I am quite soft.
‘I had anxiety when we were in Dublin because I was away for five days… but then I got there and checked into a hotel room solo and I thought, do you know what I’m not even going to know myself on this tour, this is insane, because I hadn’t done that for maybe 10 years.
‘Every time I go away for work it’s for Morning Live and I have to be up at 4:30am so I don’t feel any of those benefits of being away for the night.
‘So, initially it was a novelty being away and having so much time because it’s so rare, but I missed them terribly. We are not used to being apart and it was pure emotion when I saw them again.’
Unlike the majority of mothers, Kimberley says she even dreaded her children going back to school this week following the summer holidays because she missed them so much while she was on tour
Unlike the majority of mothers, Kimberley says she even dreaded her children going back to school this week following the summer holidays because she missed them so much while she was on tour.
But after partnering with Warburtons she was able to soften the blow by giving her sons a delicious packed lunch for their first week back in the classroom.
She said: ‘I actually bribed them with everything in their packed lunch, which helped. It’s surprising how the small things are big wins for them. As soon as I said mine could have strawberries and popcorn on their first day back, they were thrilled.
‘They are really good boys, they have their moments of course, but it’s been a lovely summer. I know some parents have been desperate to have them back at school but after coming off of tour and having a year that has flown by, I was craving as much time with them as possible, so it’s been sad watching them go back this week.’
Kimberley hopes to install confidence back into families after new research from Warburtons revealed that 60 per cent of parents worry about making sure their child’s packed lunches are nutritious, while only 26 per cent believe they are hitting the mark.
She said: ‘I was surprised to hear that so many parents felt worried that they weren’t giving their parents what they needed through their packed lunches, and they were concerned about giving their children a healthy and balanced diet.
‘I thought I could jump on board and give parents the confidence that there should be no guilt or worry attached to that.
‘My children love their packed lunches and it’s all about what you can sneak in there, like in the sandwiches too and all the picky bits you add to the pot.
‘You are probably giving them a way more balanced diet compared to what they could be eating if you didn’t have any control.’
- Kimberley Walsh has partnered with Warburtons to shed light on how sandwiches can be part of a healthy and balanced packed lunch this back-to-school season. For quick and easy lunch box inspiration, check out Warburtons bakery range including their Protein Thin Bagels, Half and Half Medium Loaf and famous Toastie. Please visit warburtons.co.uk