BBC Morning Live star announces extended break from show ahead of some ‘exciting business’

Kimberley Walsh has announced she is taking an extended break from BBC Morning Live pending some ‘exciting business’.

The presenter, 42, revealed she will be missing from the program for ‘a while’ as she shared a host of behind-the-scenes snaps with her co-stars.

Kimberley, who rose to fame in Girls Aloud alongside Cheryl Tweedy, Nadine Coyle and Nicola Roberts, will hit the road with the band in May and June in recognition of 21 years since she and the late Sarah Harding won Popstars: The Rivals.

Announcing the news on Friday, the singer explained: ‘Last Morning Live for a while because I have some business to do.

‘What a fantastic series so far and I always love sharing the studio with so many amazing women (and Geth). Happy International Women’s Day.’

The presenter revealed she will be missing from the program for ‘a while’ as she shared a host of behind-the-scenes photos with her co-stars

Kimberley wore a stylish denim waistcoat and matching flared trousers as she posed for a series of photos in the studio.

This week, Girls Aloud shared three previously unreleased songs with the late Sarah Harding, three years after her tragic death from cancer at the age of 39.

In celebration of its twentieth anniversary, the group released their critically acclaimed 2004 album, What Will The Neighbors Say? with songs never heard before.

They included Disco Bunny, Baby When You Go and their cover of Chris Isaak’s 1991 classic Wicked Game, the latter of which would be released as a single in 2005 before being replaced by their song Long Hot Summer.

The album, the group’s second, featured hit singles such as Jump, Love Machine and I’ll Stand By You.

Cheryl revealed the group had discussed reunion plans, but shelved the idea when Sarah – who died in September 2021 – was diagnosed with breast cancer.

The group plans to use the tour to “celebrate” their late friend.

Cheryl added, “But now I think there’s an energy there that makes it feel good. It’s the right time to celebrate Sarah, it’s the right time to celebrate the bond and the right time to celebrate that we can still do this 21 years later. That is a great honor in many ways.’

Girls Aloud, made up of (L-R) Nicola Roberts, Cheryl, Kimberley and Nadine Coyle, will be hitting the road in May and June to celebrate their 21st anniversary

Announcing the news on Friday, the singer explained: ‘Last Morning Live for a while because I have some business to do’ (pictured with Gethin Jones’

This week, Girls Aloud shared three previously unreleased songs with the late Sarah Harding (pictured 2017), three years after her tragic death from cancer at the age of 39.

They included Disco Bunny, Baby When You Go and their cover of Chris Isaak’s 1991 classic Wicked Game, the latter of which would be released as a single in 2005.

It comes after Cheryl revealed what Sarah gave her blessing for Girls out loud to reunite without her after her death.

Cheryl said during an appearance on Heart Breakfast: “I spoke to Sarah one on one at one point, this was in the later stages when she was really bad, and she had said to me, ‘I hope you four can do something do when I’m not there” and at that moment I couldn’t have that conversation. I was trying to keep up with her.”

Amanda said, “I think she would absolutely love you to do this.”

Kimberley replied: “We always talk about how much she loved Girls Aloud. She loved it.

“It was just the best time ever for her, we talked about it so much the few months before she passed away and how much she loved it, she would let us watch old videos, the things we had done together, she always said we had a great time together.

“Amanda, you’re absolutely right, she would love us to do this.”

Cheryl revealed the group had discussed reunion plans, but put the idea on hold when Sarah – who died in September 2021 – was diagnosed with breast cancer (Sarah photo 2013)

She revealed that Sarah gave her blessing for Girls Aloud to reunite without her after her death

They also confirmed that Sarah’s vocals would remain unchanged throughout the tour, and that they would not reprise her ‘iconic’ solo parts.

Nadine explained: ‘They (Sarah’s vocal parts) will remain the same, her singing parts are big parts like ‘Walking Primrose’, she is the actual walking primrose and ‘take a walk on the wild side’, she has some iconic Sarah’s bits. They’ll be Sarah’s pieces. Why should we? They are her pieces.”

Girls Aloud originally formed in 2002 and rose to fame after winning ITV’s Pop Stars: The Rivals with twenty top ten singles and five BRIT Award nominations.

The group took an initial hiatus in 2009 to pursue other projects before splitting for good in 2013.