Girls Aloud set to perform at Glastonbury after announcing comeback following death of Sarah Harding
THEY are set to hit the road next year after more than a decade of reunion rumours.
But aside from their stilettos and sequins, Girls Aloud will also need to pack their wellies before getting on the tour bus.
I can reveal that Cheryl Tweedy, Nicola Roberts, Nadine Coyle and Kimberley Walsh will be heading down to Worthy Farm for Glastonbury in June.
The Something Kinda Ooooh hitmakers are being lined up to perform on the famous Pyramid stage and could be heading for the coveted Legends slot on the final day of the Somerset festival — following in the footsteps of Diana Ross, Lionel Richie and Kylie Minogue.
An insider told me: “Girls Aloud have been at the top of the wishlist to play after rumours of a reunion emerged.
“The festival needs some girl power after last year’s all-male line-up and the girls fit the bill.
“They also have a huge back catalogue of pop anthems, so all ages will be singing along — exactly what the Legends slot is all about.”
The band released their tour dates this week and will step out on Dublin’s 3Arena stage in Ireland on May 18 — their first performance without their fifth bandmate Sarah Harding, who died aged 39 from breast cancer in 2021.
It comes after Glastonbury’s head honcho Emily Eavis revealed that she wants to champion female artists on next year’s bill.
Chatting earlier this year, Emily said: “The music industry needs to invest in more female musicians to create future headliners.
“This starts way back with the record companies, radio. I can shout as loud as I like, but we need to get everyone on board.”
The festival took flak this year over its all-white, male headline line-up, with Arctic Monkeys, Guns N’ Roses and Elton John on the bill.
Responding to the backlash, Emily said: “We try our best and we obviously aim for 50:50. Some years it’s more, some years it’s less.
“This year, we did have a female headliner, and she unfortunately had to pull out.”
Looks like the Noughties girl band is just what the festival ordered.
BUSTED are keen to team up if Girls Aloud decide to record new tracks.
Matt Willis tells me: “We’d love to do a duet with them.” Make this pop magic happen.
LOST Frequencies has admitted he hated his hit track Where Are You Now featuring Calum Scott when he first heard it.
The DJ said: “The very first version I had was way more poppy.
“I thought, if I am going to work on this, then it has to go in another direction.
“When Calum came to sing on the track it had a completely different vibe and atmosphere.”
DAVID Beckham’s Netflix documentary seems to have inspired pal Cesc Fabregas, who revealed he is making a film about his life.
Speaking at a charity gala in Italy, the Spanish former footballer even hinted that the moment when he threw pizza at Sir Alex Ferguson during an argument would make the cut.
Let’s hope there will be slices at the premiere.
FLOWER POWER
Pianist Chloe Flower swapped New York for London as she played songs from her album Chloe Hearts Christmas.
At Wednesday’s performance at the Dorchester, the classical musician played Liberace’s piano by candlelight.
In 2019 she also tinkled the ivories on one of the flamboyant showman’s instruments when she accompanied Cardi B on the rapper’s tune Money at the Grammys.
Chloe, who has also played on tracks by Celine Dion, Nas and Timbaland, tells me: “I love coming to the UK. I plan to come back a lot more next year.”
CORRIE CLAIRE’S A CHOIR GIRL
SOAP stars will go head to head this Christmas in celebrity choir contest Britain Get Singing as Coronation Street takes on EastEnders.
Corrie’s Claire Sweeney, who plays Cassie Plummer, and Lisa George, who plays Beth Tinker, will take on Albert Square’s Emma Barton (Honey Mitchell) and Heather Peace (Eve Unwin) in the festive special.
The show will be hosted by Roman Kemp.
A telly source said: “Britain Get Singing is looked at as a jewel in ITV’s Christmas schedule.
“The soap stars all know each other and are sure to buy into the spirit of competition.”
HARRY GAMBLE ON VEGAS SHOW
WITH a sell-out tour, legions of fans and millions in the bank, Harry Styles has ticked a lot off his bucket list.
Yet after wrapping up his Love On Tour in July, it seems the As It Was singer has his sights set on Las Vegas.
I am told Harry had a four-hour summit with bosses at the Sphere after taking his girlfriend Taylor Russell to see U2 at Sin City’s new, immersive venue.
The hi-tech arena is yet to fill the coveted slot on December 31 but is lining up Harry for the once-in-a-lifetime show.
A source said: “This would truly cement the Sphere as a major venue.
“Die-hard fans of Harry and One Direction will be desperate to get their mitts on a ticket. It would undoubtedly sell out in minutes.”
Venue bosses are looking at streaming services to broadcast the epic performance to every corner of the globe.
Seems like 2024 could get off to a Perfect start.
BIG BROTHER’S AJ SHOWS HER METAL
AJ Odudu looks disc-o ready as she hits the town in a silver mini dress covered with giant, round sequins.
The glamorous TV host dazzled in the metallic number while joining stars in London for the Big Brother wrap party.
And she rocked a touch of festive sparkle as she stepped out for the bash at Soho’s exclusive 1 Warwick members’ club on Friday night.
The Blackburn-born presenter was also reunited with former Big Brother presenter Emma Willis for the glitzy party.
It came a week after AJ and co-host Will Best announced Jordan Sangha as winner of ITV’s first series of the classic reality show following a nail-biting final.
SHARON: SI’S NO PAL
SHARON Osbourne has revealed it was always strictly business with her former X Factor colleague Simon Cowell.
She tells me: “I never was friends with him. I just worked for him, but he was never a friend.”
Her comments come after Simon with Sharon in 2004, unfollowed her on Instagram.
Sharon jetted in from California to attend the inaugural Rolling Stone UK awards on Thursday.
She picked up the Icon gong on behalf of her husband Ozzy, who has been in poor health.
Talking about the secret of her 41-year marriage to the Prince of Darkness, she said: “We are amazing. It’s about acceptance.
“Learning that you are not going to change anyone because that’s what you love, it’s acceptance.
“And you’ve got to respect that person.”
Growing tearful on stage, she added: “He’s very sad he’s not here.”