Kimberley Walsh & Alfie Boe - One Vision

What do we think about what effectively amounts to Kimberley Walsh's third solo musical effort after her Aggro Santos collab and the Horrid Henry soundtrack job? Well, the thing about her cover of Queen's One Vision is that you have to approach it on two levels.

At face value, I think it's fair to say that it's probably the weakest track any of Girls Aloud - either as a combined force or individually - have released as a single. Queen are one of those bands that you just don't touch when it comes to covers, it's too much of an impossibility to ever come close to matching anything of Freddie Mercury's original performances on the tracks. It's in the pizzaz of it all, and the flamboyant diction.

And you'd sort of think, that with her theatrical background (and Kimberley really has utterly excelled in Shrek of late), that flamboyance would suit Kimberley. But in this case, it really doesn't - it's sort of like a Glee version of Queen, if Glee was populated by successful British popstars. Too studied, too safe, too predictable. And Alfie Boe's operatical blasts across the track certainly don't help either - it trips the track over into a kind of Mary Poppins-esque extravaganza of jazz-handed showbizness that wipes away the firey heart of the original.

What does the cover have going for it then? Well, for starters - because it comes from one fifth of Girls Aloud, we - as long-serving eternally loyal fans - feel honour bound to purchase it, which we did. There's also the fact this is all in support of the Olympics and Team GB, and we felt it might be rather patriotic of us to 'do our bit' and part with our pennies. And to be fair to this re-work of the Queen classic, we rather like the way they've kept much of the production pretty faithful to the original - those strings sections are really quite gorgeous.

And above all, there's a real heart-bursting sense of inherently British pride to the whole thing. It makes you swell with passion for our great nation, this wonderful land that has had the fair grace to produce such musical greats as Queen and Girls Aloud. And while this cover presents a rather cock-eyed look at both groups' ongoing legacies, we like to think we can take One Vision as a reminder of how good they are in their own right rather than this rather outlandish mish-mash of extravagance.

One Vision is available to download from iTunes.

Kimberley Walsh Puma Bodytrain SS12 shoot [Video]

Whoever got Kimberley Walsh and Puma together deserves a medal, as personally we reckon this is the hottest Girls Aloud related video we've seen since *that* Cheryl clip.

We could go on for ages about how cool Kimberley looks in the sporty get-up and how well she executes all the poses, but personally, we're more concerned about how damn toned she is! Phwooarrr!

Kimberley Walsh debuts in Shrek - The Musical

As far as fairytale stories go, Kimberley Walsh's debut performance in Shrek: The Musical ended up being every bit as magical and enchanting as the story of everyone's favourite ogre itself.

Just as Nicola Robert's brilliant solo album feels like the project she had been building up to for all her life, so too does the role of Princess Fiona feel like it was custom-made for Kimberley to play. Longtime fans of Girls Aloud will remember Kimberley's dabblings in acting as part of her Passions episode and her recent role in the Horrid Henry movie. It is here though that she steps into her first major role.

For those that have seen the first Shrek movie (who hasn't?!), the plot of the musical version remains pretty faithful, though obviously interspersed with all manner of fantastic showtunes. If you're in search of a feel-good night out packed with fun-factor, then this is it.

Kimberley's Fiona is the perfect counterpart to the rough, Scottish charms of Shrek. Tapping in to a feisty bossy-madam attitude, she's the heroine with real staying power - an apt fit for the empowered pop princess  Kimberley represents as part of Girls Aloud.

With brilliantly funny supporting roles - Donkey, Farquaad and the Dragon (courtesy of some incredible stagecraft), Shrek: The Musical is just as much a laugh-a-minute comedy as it is a tour-de-force of fun tunes. And it is in these two qualities that Kimberley proves her worth to the show. Not only is she a strong singer - with a voice that has always seemed perfect for the enunciation needed for theatre - but she clearly has a knack for comic timing, delivering her lines as if she's been playing the role for years.

Resolutely the professional, Kimberley also impresses with her grasp of Fiona's American accent, though I was pleased to hear Kimberley's own rounded Yorkshire tones seeping through from time to time. The Shrek Musical, in so many aspects, feels like a far more chunky, down-to-earth production than the slick CGI films.

Best of all, placed here, in the heart of London, the performance feels definitively British in its quaintness. A fairytale story to encompass all others, it seems to tap into a sense of tradition and communal enjoyment. By the time the rousing finale of I'm A Believer rolled round, the entire audience was up on their feet singer and cheering along - surely the greatest sign of a job well done by all involved.

And maybe it was the fact Cheryl Cole and Nicola Roberts were also in attendance, but the sheer buzz surrounding the theatre that night felt like it could have been one of Girls Aloud's own concerts. Kimberley, going it alone has made her mark, and the public love her.

For more information on Shrek - The Musical and to book tickets, visit the official site: http://www.shrekthemusical.co.uk/

Kimberley Walsh to join Shrek: The Musical in October

Don't you just love it when you get two bits of happy news together?

Just as everyone's favourite former Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden announces she's pregnant, along comes the news that because of this, Kimberley Walsh will be replacing her in Shrek: The Musical.

Adding yet more fuel to the firey blaze of rumours circulating about Girls Aloud getting back together next year, we have to say that for the time being this sounds pretty exciting!

Long-time GA fans have often hailed Kimba as perfect for the theatre, especially after she guested in Les Mis as part of her Passions episode.

Kimberley takes up the role on the 5th October - we can't wait to see how she does!

Find out more on the show's official site: http://www.shrekthemusical.co.uk/news-reviews/

Kimberley 'calls the shots' on Cheryl, Nadine, Simon AND Olly

If you're not already aware, Girls Aloud's delightful Kimberley Walsh writes a very entertaining column every week in OK Magazine where she lets us, the dear readers, know what she's been up to. She also uses it as a platform to share her views on various celeb dilemnas and to clear up any important Girls Aloud-related issues when they arise.

The new issue of the magazine is out today, and I've got to say, this week's column is Pure Win. It's literally jam packed with everything you could want. Let's have a little run-down:

Cheryl and The X Factor - 'Cheryl's fine - it isn't a huge deal for her'. This is very good to hear - we like to know that everything is all ship-shape and hunky dory in CherylWorld.

'From a selfish point of view, I'm glad I can pop round again for a cup of tea!' - What will it be? Milk and two sugars Chezza?

Nadine and Jason's split - 'Nadine is a strong person and a strong woman in relationships so I know she'll be ok' - This is also very reassuring. This is the GA girls sticking together and backing each-other up - they are, after all, a force to be reckoned with.

Simon - 'Simon displayed some almighty hevage recently' - OMG what is hevage?! I have to thank Kimberley for introducing this word to me - because reading this about Simon had me in fits of laughter. It's so true too! I think every one of us who's ever sat down to watch Britain's Got Talent or X Factor has been full of critique over Simon's 'style' choices, so it's fun to imagine our Kimba sat there too doing the same.

Olly Murs - Here Kimberley talks about those rumours that she was being considered for a role on the Xtra Factor. She says 'I think it would've been fun but I couldn't have seen myself doing it with Olly'. Yes - Because we all know Kimberley and Matt Edmondson would have been the best combo by far for the show.

Who's that hottie over there?! Kimberley Walsh is the new face of Right Guard for Women

“I have a really hectic schedule and need to make sure that I stay fresh and dry – however long my day might be!” says the ever delightful Kimba, looking immaculately stunning and sexy in a new photoshoot to accompany the good news. Miss Walsh will be fronting up the Right Guard for Women brand of deodorant, helping women all across the UK battle the horrors of BO.

Properly amazing.

We imagine Kimberley running around spraying the stuff left, right and centre - superwoman style.

And all this while she's also starring in the movie version of the Horrid Henry books!

A nice Kimberley 'Horrid Henry' movie poster to brighten up your morning...

When it comes to glamorous celebs working a lovely, cheery smile, Girls Aloud's Kimberley Walsh ranks very highly indeed. She works that beautiful, friendly girl-next-door look perfectly and it suits her well on this new poster of her as 'Prissy Polly'; the role she plays in the new Horrid Henry movie.

I'm sure most people remember the Horrid Henry books from their childhood; even if you didn't actually read them, you couldn't not see them - they were everywhere! Shops, libraries, doctor's waiting rooms... they'd be there!

After all of Girls Aloud dabbled in the world of movies with the gloriously British St. Trinians, something like Horrid Henry seems the perfect choice for Kimberley to take on, and just going by this poster, she seems to be filling the role very nicely indeed.

Frankie and Kimberley in the X Factor pipeline?

As two of my favourite popstars, I got rather excited when rumours started circulating that Frankie Sandford might become a judge on X Factor and that Kimberley Walsh would replace Konnie Huq presenting the Xtra Factor.

Talk about girl band domination! This would be quite literally amazing. One member of The Sats, one member of Girls Aloud. Brilliant pop would be in full force on the UK's biggest TV show.

In The Sun's take on the story, they report Frankie "is said to have impressed producers with her forthright opinions and striking looks." A 'show source' apparently added: "Frankie has all the right ingredients for an X Factor judge - she looks great, she can hold her own and she's been there."

This what we love about Frankie; she looks absolutely amazing, is super stylish and isn't afraid to speak her mind. All the qualities you'd want from an X Factor judge, with the added strength that I think she'd bring a youthful new 'cool' vibe to the show. A year after 'auto-tune gate' and all that Gamu business, a shot of 'cool' is precisely what X Factor needs. Frankie's also popular with the more indie/rock crowd, featuring on the Kids in Glass Houses track Undercover Lover.

And as for Kimberley? Well, she's really come into her own with her presenting roles for the brilliant Suck My Pop and the other assorted jobs she's cropped up on in the past year. She's found her confidence in it and the Xtra Factor would present the next logical step. She's got that warm, comforting demeanor too which is ideal for supporting the unfortunate soul who's been booted out that week.

An 'insider' revealed: "Kimberley was worried that she wouldn’t be suitable for the role with Cole as a judge, as she may have been biased towards her acts but now Cheryl is off to America she feels it is the perfect opportunity. Cheryl has put in a good word for her and bosses were impressed after seeing her present Suck My Pop last year. It’s pretty much a done deal”

Of course, all of this might be completely untrue... but just like the Rihanna stuff a few days ago, we can all dream...

Kimba's 'wet and sexy' photoshoot...

Girls Aloud's lovable Kimberley Walsh has been writing in her brilliant weekly OK Magazine column about a new photoshoot she's been involved with.

"I had to do a shoot last week in which they were going for a wet and sexy look, but the reality was I spent all day in a studio with some poor fella standing on a ladder chucking buckets of water over me!"

We can't wait to see the finished pictures! Going by the high standard of previous photoshoots such as the official Girls Aloud calendars, they should be super-hot.

There'll certainly be a lot of very happy Kimberley fans out there the day the pictures are unveiled.

Aggro Santos feat. Kimberley Walsh - Like U Like

Aggro Santos, fresh out of the I’m A Celebrity... jungle, obvious has a thing for girls called Kimberley.  His first single saw him teaming up with The Pussycat Doll’s Kimberly Wyatt for the irresistible Candy – referencing your own website in a pop song had never sounded so good.  And now he’s back, and with a new Kimberley in tow, in this case Girls Aloud’s Kimberley Walsh, the duo serving up a fun, frisky slice of hip-pop in the form of Like U Like.

Kimberley’s vocals are sultry, Aggro’s raps full of ingenious comic flourish (our particular favourite is ‘they call me chef, they like the way I mix it’.  The song’s strength is its simplicity; in an age of sour-faced indie tunes and over-produced R&B, Like U Like is a straight-up tune to let your hair down to, knock back a few shots and hit the dancefloor.  There’s even a bit of Spanish thrown in there to take you back to the days where Ricky Martin and Enrique Iglesias ruled the charts.  This is one of those good, old-fashioned pop smashes, and to continue Aggro’s cooking metaphor, all the right ingredients are here – catchy lyrics, guest vocal from a hot girl group member, lots of synths, and a great beat.

Download Like U Like from iTunes here.