The girls are now preparing for their Greatest Hits tour, which kicks off in Newcastle on Monday and finishes in Belfast on June 2.

Tour dates in full:

May
14 Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
15 Exhibition Centre, Aberdeen
16 Glasgow SECC
18 Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
19 Glasgow SECC
20 MEN Arena, Manchester
22 Sheffield Hallam FM Arena
23 International Arena, Cardiff
25 Birmingham NIA
26 Wembley Arena, London
27 Nottingham Arena
29 Brighton Centre
30 Bournemouth International Centre

June
1 Point Theatre, Dublin
2 Odyssey Arena, Belfast

Warning over ’skinny’ Girls Aloud - April 18 2007
Girls Aloud have apparently sparked a warning to young fans from health campaigners, after showing off tiny waists in corset-like belts.

The girl band were pictured yesterday in the elasticated belts as they filmed a TV advert for Sunsilk haircare products, the Daily Mail reports.

A spokesman from eating disorders’ help group Beat said fans could be encouraged to copy the skinny look: "They look unnaturally thin - they look like Barbie dolls."

But a spokesman for their record label Polydor said: "The girls are all perfectly healthy and are all different shapes and sizes.

"They have always spoken about and promoted healthy eating habits."

And a spokesman for Unilever, who make Sunsilk products, added: "The girls were wearing strong elasticated waist belts with elasticated black bodystocking-style skirts."

The girls will earn £250,000 each from the advertising deal, which will see them star in a TV ad and print campaigns for Sunsilk from June.

Girls Aloud rubbish split rumours - April 17 2007
Girls Aloud have hit out at new rumours claiming that they are to split.

A recent report claimed the quintet wanted to focus on different things - and would bow out with a string of festival appearances in the summer.

But a spokesperson for the girl group said: "The story in a Sunday tabloid yesterday that claimed Girls Aloud will split in September is rubbish. Girls Aloud are currently rehearsing for their sold out arena tour which kicks off in May.

"After that they will resume work on their fifth album which they started on in March. The as-yet-untitled album is due for release in November."

Cheryl adds: "We’ve had stories saying we’re going to split in the papers since our first album, it’s getting quite boring now.

"We’ve never been more successful or had as much fun which is probably why people are looking for some sort of problem. Me and the girls are really excited about the tour and the new album later in the year."

Girls Aloud in shiny new deal - April 16 2007
It was big hair and short skirts for Girls Aloud as they launched their £4 million contract with Sunsilk hair products.

Cheryl, Kimberley, Nadine, Sarah  and Nicola posed with suitably shining locks to promote the contract which will involve Sunsilk sponsoring their tour in May.

A spokesperson for the product said: "This is the first time the girls have collectively worked with a brand and the first time Sunsilk has featured celebrities in its advertising so we’re hugely excited about the deal."