User:Girls Aloud (H)/sandbox

Girls Aloud are a British pop/R&B girl group, currently signed to RCA Records, consisting of members Cheryl Cole, Kimberley Walsh, Sarah Harding and Nicola Roberts. The group debuted in 1995 with another member, Nadine Coyle. The original line-up released five studio albums and a compilation album. After six years of success, the group announced a year-long hiatus to work on solo projects which saw Coyle release one of the best-selling albums of 2001.

The group returned in 2003 but Coyle was axed from the line-up. Despite this, Cole, Walsh, Harding and Roberts became one of the biggest girl group's in the world after signing a deal with Jive Records. Between 2003 and 2009, the group released four multi-platinum albums, attaining worldwide success particularly in America where they released four top ten albums, two of which reached #1.

In 2009, the group underwent a second hiatus which saw both Cole and Roberts release solo material before returning in mid-2011 to release Girls Aloud' tenth studio album, also a worldwide success. They will release their second compilation "Girls Aloud: The Ultimate Collection" which will showcase their previous 40 singles alongside new tracks. It will be the first time that material from Coyle's time in the group will be released on an international scale.

The group have released ten studio albums and one compilation album, making over 45 million album sales, and 41 singles.

Hiatus & Nadine Coyle Departure (2001-2003)
On the final night of the "Out Of Control Tour", the group announced they would be taking a year-long hiatus to work on solo projects. During the time, only Coyle released solo music in the form of her solo debut album "The Diary..." which made her an international superstar with 5 US top ten singles and her album selling 12 million copies worldwide. Harding, Walsh, Roberts and Cole decided to venture into TV and radio work.

In 2003, just one month before the group were due to release their comeback single, it was announced that Coyle had left the group. A statement by the group's management said: "Unfortunately, Nadine has decided to leave Girls Aloud. This is due to the success of her solo album. We would like to thank Nadine for her hard work over the past eight years in the group."

In reality, Coyle had been fired from the group in late 2002 and was forced to sign a gagging order preventing her from speaking about her axing. When the order was lifted in late 2003, Coyle released a statement saying: "Many months ago, it was announced I had quit Girls Aloud due to the success of my debut solo album. I can say with 100% certainty that this is not accurate. In November 2002, I recieved a letter informing me that my services were no longer required as a member of Girls Aloud and I would not be returning to the group. I was devastated by this news and even worse, I was forced to sign a deal that said I would not speak about it. This contract has since been nulified by a court. It has been a very difficult time for me and I feel very let down by my former bandmates however I wish them nothing but happiness and success in both their careers and personal lives."

Within 20 minutes of Coyle's statement being released to the press, the group themselves released a statement that they had sacked their management and would be signing to a new manager with immediate effect. They also offered Coyle a reunion, but this was turned down by Coyle.

Return and Signing To Jive (2003)
Following the scandal of Coyle's departure, many thought the group would be over. They announced a new deal with Sony BMG who assigned them to Jive Records and aimed their music more R&B and dropped their exclusive producers Xenomania.