The year started rather quiet, with little happening on the Girls Aloud front. However, that all changed when the group announced plans to go worldwide in 2006. New Zealand and Australia were the first countries to get a taste on Girls Aloud, with 'Biology' and a new version of 'Chemistry' being released in February. The single peaked at #26 down under after a brief promotional visit.

Back in the UK, 'Whole Lotta History' was chosen as the 12th single after a debate over whether it would be that ballad, 'Models' or 'Wild Horses.' In fact, Music Control radio even played 'Wild Horses' and announced it as the next single before the Official Website confirmed the new choice. For the video, Girls Aloud visited Paris with Sarah's scenes filmed next to the River Seine.

Despite stunning live performances and strong fan reaction, the single did not seem to create as much impact as earlier release. It charted at #6 continuing the Top 10 run. It was let down by downloads, being #2 on the physical release chart. The week prior to this it had entered at #80 on downloads alone due to new chart rules - the 4th highest download only single. Sadly, it plummeted from #13 to #33 shortly after.

The trip to Australia and promotion of the single were recorded for a Girls Aloud documentary, Girls Aloud: Off The Record, which aired on E4 throughout April and May. The 6-part series pulled in respectable audiences for the digital channel with Cheryl's moaning being a highlight.

Girls Aloud also visited China whilst being filmed where they acted as cultural ambassadors for London with Ken Livingstone. This was a great honour for the girls after the shock Brit Awards snub earlier in the year when they were not included in the Best Pop category. The girls also got chance to get behind the wheel when they filmed an episode of Fifth Gear. Sarah hit the headlines by crashing a Fararri into the Girls Aloud mini-bus.

In May, Girls Aloud hit the road as they performed to sell-out audiences on their UK Arena Tour. Just like their album, the tour reaped praise from high quality publications and was a hit with the fans. It included a special Musical Medley and a cover of the Kaiser Chiefs hit, 'I Predict A Riot.'

Once the tour was complete, Girls Aloud were dogged with rumours of a split with reports that Sarah had quit on the final night. The reports came up again in July when newspapers claimed that Nadine was going solo and the band were no longer friends. Each of the allegations were dismissed by the girls on the Official website with Cheryl announcing the groups plans to record a 4th album.

In early recording sessions they had produced 6 high quality tracks and were having trouble choosing which 4 would appear on the planned Greatest Hits. As a result, the idea of waiting and releasing another album of new material was introduced once again.

One of the split rumours centered around the groups disliked for Cheryl's new image as a WAG (England footballers' Wives & Girlfriends) during the World Cup. The geordie had made friends with ex-Spice Girl Victoria Beckham and hit the headlines during the summer contest. She was also chosen to front the Coca-Cola Zero campaign and was involved in a National Lottery Photocall with Ashley. However, this did not mean the group had fallen out as the papers reported, with Cheryl having her 4 bandmates as bridesmaids at her wedding to Ashley Cole.

And Cheryl wasnt the only loved up member of Girls Aloud. Nadine Coyle had begun dating Hollywood and Desperate Housewives star, Jesse Metcalfe, after meeting him in Australia. She and the actor tried to keep their relationship secret, but it was eventually confirmed with the pair jetting off to spend time with each other. During time off she attended Canada's Much Music Awards with her new boyfriend and spent much time in LA - another thing the papers took as meaning the group were over.

Sarah met up with Nadine over there as well when she started dating Blade star, Stephen Dorff. The blonde's relationship seemed to be going well but recent reports suggest the pair had split.

Meanwhile, back in the UK, Kimberley and Nicola attended June's O2 Silver Clef Lunch. At the event, Girls Aloud picked up the Heart Award for the single 'See The Day' as part of an annual awards honouring songwriting and performance in aid of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy.

Following Cheryl's marriage in July, Girls Aloud headed back to the studio and began rehearsaks for high profile events including the V Festival and the groups first ever gigs in Nadine's hometown of Derry, Ireland.