TV viewers have always felt invested in Girls Aloud after watching their creation on ITV’s Popstars: The Rivals.
So it’s only fitting that they share this final chapter of their story with the British public, as I can reveal the channel is working on a one-off special following their recent reunion tour.
Cameras have been following Cheryl Cole, Nicola Roberts, Kimberly Walsh, and Nadine Coyle as they prepared for the sell-out gigs and also captured scenes backstage.
It means some of the very raw and private moments when they remember Sarah Harding, who died of breast cancer in 2021, could be part of the film.
But bosses have mostly caught the girls on stage, to share every dance step and hit single with fans at home.
A source said: “There’s a number of options on the table as to how ITV could deliver the final piece.
“Backstage footage has been captured but bosses feel there’s equal value in presenting the show in its entirety as one, glossy set-piece, just like Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
“Girls Aloud have always felt like ITV’s very own girlband after they were created on Popstars: The Rivals so to be able to celebrate this chapter feels like an honour and everyone is committed to doing it justice.
“Honouring their legacy as a band and remembering Sarah is so important.
“However the finished product ends up, it’s going to be a gorgeous piece of TV.”
The band played their final show of the 30-night Girls Aloud Show tour on Sunday night in Liverpool and have received rave reviews throughout.
Fans have been especially touched by the love the girls still have for each other and how the production has honoured Sarah.
A tour movie will be the icing on the cake.
George Clooney has signed up another Hollywood star for his remake of the French spy thriller The Bureau.
Richard Gere is the latest to join the new series The Agency, which also stars Michael Fassbender and Jeffrey Wright, as London Station Chief and former undercover agent Bosko.
The show, which is currently in production, will stream on Paramount+.
Fast Show favourite Paul Whitehouse has linked the decline of sketch comedies to the rise of social media.
The comic, who has a new tribute series dedicated to the genre, called Paul Whitehouse’s Sketch Show Years, on Gold at 10pm on Thursdays, said: “The demise of the sketch show has coincided with the rise of bite-sized comedy that we send to our friends all day long on our phones, on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, GIFs and memes.
“They are like little sketches. They’re everywhere except on the telly these days.
“You can do some funny stuff online but there are no great production values.
“That’s possibly why the sketch show has gone, because it’s quite expensive to make.”
England’s last-gasp Euros triumph over Slovakia on Sunday drew the biggest TV audience in more than a year.
There were 18.4 million viewers across ITV1 and ITVX. It is the biggest audience for the broadcaster since the last Euros.
The BBC’s coverage of the Coronation last year had 20 million.
CBeebies has revealed race ace Lewis Hamilton is next behind the wheel of its Bedtime Stories.
The seven-times Formula 1 world champion will read from Small’s Big Dream, the tale of a little girl with big ambitions.
Lewis said: “It was inspiring. It reminded me of the big dreams that I had as a kid.
“There are many kids out there that have big dreams too, and perhaps there will be people telling them that their dream’s too big.
“But I feel like this story emphasises no dream is too big or small and as long as you believe in yourself, work hard, stay focused and give it absolutely everything, anything is possible.”
Lewis’ CBeebies Bedtime Story is at 6.50pm tomorrow.
