Author: WTX Entertainment

It’s 20 years since Girls Aloud were formed on Pop Stars: The Rivals and instantly brought out one of the best pop songs ever (Picture: Getty Images)

It’s hard to believe 20 years has passed since the release of one of the greatest pop songs of all time.

And no, that’s not an exaggeration.

It’s somehow been 20 years since the newly-formed Girls Aloud blessed our ears with debut single Sound of the Underground, kicking off the group’s stellar career with a number one hit single (and a Christmas number one to boot.)

The incredible debut came after Sarah Harding, then-Cheryl Tweedy, Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh were put together on TV singing competition Pop Stars: The Rivals.

They went on to have three more UK number one singles, two number one albums and a total of 26 singles that reached the top 10.

Now former member Nicola has been reflecting on the good times as she shared a series of brilliant behind-the-scenes snaps to Instagram, of the girls performing, playing guitar and generally messing about.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CmeRQ_po0EH/

She wrote: ‘Happy Anniversary to the song that changed our lives!

’20 years ago today Sound Of The Underground went to number 1 and stayed there for 4 consecutive weeks. Thank you @peterloraine @polydorrecords for these behind the scenes pictures.

‘I’ve been sitting here going through them all and feel like I’ve been transported back to that freezing cold shoot in an empty warehouse where none of us could hardly believe what was happening or even knew what to do.’

The newly-formed group instantly got a Christmas number one with Sound of the Underground (Picture: Getty Images)

It’s pretty clear Girls Aloud’s debut single had an effect on, well, most people, as thousands flocked to the comments to give their opinion on the song.

TV icon AJ Odududu reacted by declaring Sound of the Underground was a ‘TUNE!!!!’ while radio star Clara Amfo agreed it was ‘ICONIQUE’ – and most of the other comments were also one-word reviews of praise.

Kimberley also shared Nicola’s snaps to her own Instagram story, writing: :’20 YEARS AGO’ along with a mind-blown emoji.

While the band went their separate ways in 2013, they all remain close, with Cheryl and Kimberley recently taking their kids to see Santa Claus in Lapland.

It’s unlikely a reunion is on the cards, with several of the members saying it wouldn’t feel right since the sad death of Harding last year at the age of 39.

Sarah died last year aged just 39, with her bandmates raising over a million for cancer charities sine (Picture: Getty Images)

Nicola recently revealed the remaining members of Girls Aloud have raised over £1,000,000 for cancer charities since Harding died in 2021 from breast cancer.

Speaking on The One Show, she said the former bandmates had ‘spent a lot more time together’ this year ‘because we did a lot of fundraising efforts for breast cancer awareness and to raise funds for different breast cancer charities on behalf of our bandmate Sarah.’

In October, Girls Aloud announced a special Sound of the Underground vinyl with their record company Polydor donating 100% of the profits received from the sale of the record to The Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal, which is part of The Christie Charitable Fund.

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The vinyl’s release came after the girls held The Primrose Ball in London in Harding’s honour and to raise vital funds for cancer treatment.

Prior to that in July, all four members in Race For Life For Sarah, a 5k run to celebrate Harding’s life.

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Hamza has made it to the final! (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)

Strictly Come Dancing finalist Hamza Yassin has soared straight to the finals this weekend, and he’s come a long way.

Despite having little confidence in himself each week, Hamza and partner Jowita Przystal have become firm favourites and won their place in the audience’s hearts already, and last week topped the leader board with 37 points.

The documentary-maker has been getting stronger and stronger each week, on and off the dance floor.

Speaking to Metro.co.uk and other press ahead of Saturday’s final, Hamza revealed: ‘I’ve lost nearly 13kg, about a stone and a half.’

The 32-year-old continued: ‘My feet are not achy anymore I would say, I’m seeing body parts being defined.

Hamza and Jowita topped the leader board on Sunday (Picture: PA)

‘I’m feeling so much happier,’ he added, saying: ‘I’m certainly healthier, I’ve lost nearly 4/5 inches across my waist, this suit was tailor made at the beginning and now I’m wearing a belt.’

On Sunday’s show, Jowita had Hamza in tears as explained to him and the audience why he deserves a place in the final.

‘First time when I met you, I asked your for the trust and the energy and you gave me much more than that,’ she began.

The documentary-maker is still not confident about his dance moves (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

‘Seeing you every day, going out of your comfort zone, and working so hard and giving me 120% every time is amazing.

But, what’s made me the proudest teacher in the world is how you always go there on the night and you dance from the heart, thank you for that.’

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Becoming very emotional after his beautiful waltz in the semi-final, Hamza reflected on his experience.

‘Thank you to everybody. It’s just been an amazing journey,’ he hailed.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday, December 17 at 7.05pm on BBC One.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

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