In 2004, Girls Aloud released 'I'll Stand By You' as the official BBC Children In Need single, reaching No.1 in the UK Singles Chart for two weeks.
Now 20 years later, the band are set to release a brand-new version of ‘I’ll Stand By You’ with their beloved Sarah Harding featuring exclusively on lead vocals throughout. The vocals were discovered in the Girls Aloud vault while the band were pulling together archive material for their sell-out The Girls Aloud Show arena tour earlier this year.
A version of the track featuring Sarah’s vocal was a highlight of the recent tour and an emotional moment for both the band and their fans. A freshly produced studio version will now be released on November 15th as a special charity single to support BBC Children In Need.
'I'll Stand By You - Sarah's Version' will be premiered today on Zoe Ball's Radio 2 breakfast show. A new edit of the original video featuring unseen archive footage will also be released during the BBC Children in Need Appeal Show on November 15th.
Proceeds from the single will benefit BBC Children in Need projects working with children in communities across the UK facing a variety of challenges, including those supporting children with cancer.
The song was originally a single for The Pretenders, written by Chrissie Hynde, Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. The original version is still a staple of The Pretenders still live with, with Chrissie often introducing the song with the words “Next we’re going to perform a song by the great Girls Aloud”.
On hearing this new version, Chrissie says “How wonderful to hear I’ll Stand By You with the lovely vocals of Sarah Harding leading the way for BBC Children in Need. Happy Christmas all!”
Girls Aloud were the most successful girl group of the noughties. They were formed 22 years ago on reality TV show Popstars: The Rivals. Over, the years, Girls Aloud have sold more than 10 million records in the UK and the band holds the Guinness World Record for their 20 consecutive UK Top 10 singles. ‘Sound Of The Underground' was the 2002 Christmas Number One, spending four weeks at the top of the charts and selling over a half a million copies in the process. The band were nominated for five Brits Awards and won Best Single for The Promise. They have been invited to record the official single for Children In Need three times. Over the years, the band toured extensively, with their “Out of Control” tour selling out over 30 arena dates. Following Sarah Harding’s passing and throughout various initiatives Girls Aloud have raised over £1.5 million for breast cancer charities.
In November 2023, the girls announced a massive reunion tour for 2024, bringing their 11-year break to an end and paying an emotional tribute to their bandmate Sarah. Due to phenomenal demand, the band added additional dates which swathe band play 30 shows, including 5 shows at The O2 London, selling over 300k tickets and ending up the biggest pop UK arena tour of the year. The band went on to play a triumphant set as the headliners of Brighton Pride in Aug 2024.
A one hour special The Girls Aloud Show: Live at The O2 will air later this autumn on ITV1. The full extended arena show will also be available to stream on ITVX.
