Girls Aloud

In 2002 a new UK talent search show called Popstars: The Rivals was launched, with the aim of creating a five-piece boy band and a five-piece girl band. Following the success of Hear'Say (winners of the or

In 2002 a new UK talent search show called Popstars: The Rivals was launched, with the aim of creating a five-piece boy band and a five-piece girl band. Following the success of Hear'Say (winners of the original Popstars show), several thousand applicants attended auditions around the UK, hoping for a place in one of the groups. Ten men and ten women were selected from the auditions to go forward as finalists. However, before the first round of the finals two of the original female finalists were replaced: Hazel Kaneswaren was found to be too old to participate, whilst Nicola Ward refused to sign the contract. Two new finalists (Kimberly Walsh and Nicola Roberts) were chosen, and the show continued.

During October and November, the finalists took to the stage every Saturday night, singing for their place in one of the two bands. One contestant was eliminated each week until the final line-ups emerged. The resulting female line-up became Girls Aloud, managed by Louis Walsh. The winning boy band was called One True Voice and was managed by Pete Waterman.