Cheryl (singer) first contestant to qualify for the girl group, and was joined by Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh to form Girls Aloud, following the final public vote. The group's debut single "Sound of the Underground" peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the 2002 Christmas number one over boy band One True Voice's "Sacred Trust / After You're Gone". Girls Aloud hold the record for the shortest time between being formed as a band and achieving a number one single. Girls Aloud released their debut album "Sound of the Underground" in May 2003, which
The Promise (Girls Aloud song) theatre, where Girls Aloud watch themselves performing as a 1960s girl group on screen. "The Promise" was promoted through numerous live appearances, including a high-profile performance on "The X Factor", and served as the opening number of 2009's Out of Control Tour. The song was praised and appreciated by most contemporary music critics, who lauded the song despite it being unusual for Girls Aloud. "The Promise" was awarded Best British Single at the 2009 Brit Awards, the group's first win at the ceremony. "The Promise" is an homage to 1960s music, particularly Phil Spector's famous Wall of Sound technique. It