Shortest reunion EVER? Girls Aloud to split for good after farewell tour... after pocketing £1million each from ticket sales

PUBLISHED: 12:35, 22 January 2013 | UPDATED: 16:05, 22 January 2013

Their 10-year comeback wasn't the massive success Girls Aloud may have dreamed of with their second single charting at an disappointing number 97 in its first week.

So it's hardly a great shock that Girls Aloud will be splitting after their 12-date UK tour, with each member reportedly pocketing £1million.

What will be more surprising for many fans is that Cheryl Cole, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts, Nadine Coyle and Kimberley Walsh are believed to have made a secret pact back in October to bury the girl band after the tour.

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Blink and it's over: Girls Aloud are set to split after their comeback tour

Cynics have said the girls, who were formed in 2002 as a result of hit show Popstars: The Rivals, and their record label merely wanted to make some cash from the 'comeback' market - which has seen bands like Take That, Backstreet Boys and New Kids On The Block reunite.

A source told The Sun: 'The girls have known all along that this would be the last time they would all work together.

'At the press conference to announce the tour, they deliberately dodged questions about future plans because they did not want to spoil the excitement.

Back in the day: Girls Aloud when they first formed in 2002... it's fair to say the girls' looks have changed dramatically

'They all felt it wasn’t right for them to be singing songs like Love Machine and performing the same way when they’re in their thirties.'

According to The Times, Girls Aloud were the highest-earning UK reality television stars, having amassed a fortune of £25 million by May 2009.

When the fivesome announced their reunion in October last year they revealed plans for a new album and arena tour.

Exciting times: The girls made the announcement at a press conference at London's Corinthia Hotel on Friday

Reunited... but just for the tour: Girls Aloud reportedly make a pact to dodge questions about the future during their reunion press conference in October 2012 (pictured)

It is thought when the unofficial notice of a split came about the pop princesses were planning to add more dates to their sell-out tour.

Something New debuted at number 2 in the UK charts while Beautiful ’Cause You Love Me, despite being performed on Children In Need, charting at number 97.

Their second single was originally billed as a potential contender for Christmas No.1 – but its release was put back until December 30.

FOUR new tracks: The cover for the girls' upcoming compilation album Ten, which will also feature four new tracks

The five-piece have enjoyed three number one singles and a further 16 top 10 hits over their seven years in the charts.

Their last single release, Untouchable, was their lowest-charting single, reaching no.11 in UK charts in April 2009.

Their six albums have sold more than 1.8million copies in the UK, their most successful being their greatest hits disc The Sound Of Girls Aloud, which has been certified 3x platinum.

As they were: It has been 10 years since the girls released their first single Sound Of The Underground