They'll get the royal seal of approval: Cheryl Cole leads the glamour at Variety Performance as Girls Aloud entertain the Queen in stunning gowns
By KIMBERLEY DADDS and OWEN TONKS
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There was royalty in the audience so Girls Aloud of course ensured they were dressed in their glamorous best at the Royal Variety Performance on Monday evening.
Cheryl Cole led the girls on stage and unlike their usual skimpy get-ups they dressed appropriately for the high caliber crowd as they all covered up in floorlength gowns.
They stepped on stage at the lavish Royal Albert Hall to give it their all in one of their first live performances since reuniting again.
Fit for the Queen: Cheryl Cole displays her curves and vocals as she takes to the stage at the Royal Variety Performance to entertain Queen Elizabeth II
Stunning the crowd: The girls performed one of their first reunion gigs in their stunning matching gowns with gold embellishment detailing
And no wonder they saved themselves for the best as they helped the Queen celebrate the 100th variety show.
Cheryl, Nadine, Nicole, Kimberley and Sarah wore matching black frocks with a tulip cut and lashings of gold embellishment down their fronts.
The Biology hitmakers stunned in the strapless numbers as they stood in perfect unison in a straight line singing into their microphones.
Showing off their perfect physiques, glamorous hair and singing skills, the girls ensured they were a hit as the Queen, along with the Duke of Edinburgh, sat in their seats to be entertained by the star-studded variety acts for the lavish evening.
Matching: Sarah Harding and Nadine Coyle also wowed in the frocks as they performed their new single
Giving it her all: Cheryl stood in the middle as they gave their best efforts on the night
Like a pro: Kimberley and Nicola also put on the figure hugging gowns and gave their best smiles to the crowd
Lavish set: The girls performed an impressive set in the spectacular venue
Perfect formation: Cheryl took centre stage as the girls performed their mirror-image moves
Having a chin wag: The Queen greeted the girls after the show to thank them for their efforts
And while the girls looked fabulous on stage during their performance, they quickly changed into some more casual attire for their departure from the Royal Albert Hall.
Nadine looked stylish in a black and white striped blouse and a pair of black trousers which she teamed with a pair of brown boots.
Nicola wore a black jacket patterned with pink crosses with a white top underneath.
Meanwhile, Kimberley dressed all in black and wore while Cheryl wore a baggy jumper with the word 'global' emblazoned across the front.
Flying high: Nadine looked elated and may have been buzzing with adrenaline following her band's performance at the Royal Variety Show
Time to relax: Nicola and Kimberley both chose to wear some casual clothes after changing out of their stage costumes during some downtime following their performance
Superstar: Cheryl wore a black jumper with the word 'global' across the front in bold green letters
And it wasn't only Girls Aloud who graced the stage to make it a night to remember.
Among the glamorous ladies leading the pack was Katherine Jenkins and Amanda Holden.
The Britain's Got Talent judge shimmered in a silver gown as she took the mic onstage during the evening.
Making their entrance: One Direction were also among the headliners and appeared through the audience
Taking their places: Liam, Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry sat on lit up stools as they sang their hearts out
Suited and booted: The boys looked dapper in their suits as they tried to impress the royal guests
Concentrating: Harry Styles showed the Queen what all the fuss was about as he joined his One Direction bandmates at the Royal Albert Hall
Something funny? The boys broke down in giggles as they were joined on stage by funnyman David Walliams, who was host for the evening
Gathering together: The boys looked dapper as they happily completed their set
All eyes on them: Despite it being a slightly older clientele at the show, the boys did themselves proud as they showed off their talents
Amanda wore her hair down in a long bob as she stood out in the asymmetric metallic dress with sparkly jewelled detailing.
And Jenkins also went all out as she stepped on stage in a purple satin number.
She wore her blonde locks in big curls while adorning herself with silver jewellery.
Stand out: Welsh opera singer Katherine Jenkins wowed in a pink satin strapless gown as she took to the mic
Costume change: She transformed into a similar purple number as she showed off her vocal skills alongside Placido Domingo
All that glistens: Amanda Holden shimmered in a silver jewelled dress, while Heather Headley went for red as she took her turn to sing
Celebrations: Amanda was just one of the stars taking part in the 100th Royal Variety Show
Golden girl: Kylie Minogue was also a favourite as she glistened in her side split gold dress
Flashing the flesh: She wore her hair in an up 'do while emphasising her petite figure in the sequin gown
But it wasn't only her looks which would have wowed the crowd, as she also impressed by performing a duet with Placido Domingo.
She wrote on Twitter ahead of her set: 'About to kick off tonight's Royal Variety Performance with The National Anthem #100Years #Honour.'
The operatic show would have no doubt pleased the Queen, although she was also entertained by much younger stars and more pop music.
One Direction were also among the star performers and made a special entrance by walking through the audience down to the stage.
Special guest: Even Alicia keys was over from America to perform at the show among the other acts of the night
Belting it out: She wore an all black ensemble as she was flanked by her dancers
Tribute: Heather Headley made a memorable performance with her tribute to late singer Whitney Houston
And they were even treated to some antics by host of the night David Walliams.
The Little Britain star didn't hold back on his ways despite being in front of the Queen as he changed into fancy dress, complete with a wig and leg warmers, half way through the show.
But Walliams didn't spend the entire evening fooling around in quirky outfits.
One way to make an entrance! David Walliams ensured he arrived in style by dressing as James Bond and flying on to the stage with a jet pack
Gosh, he's grown: Stavros Flatley performed their father-son duo act, but teenager Lagi has grown to be as big as his father
Combining: The joined dancers Diversity for a medley of moves to entertain the audience
Doing what they do best: Diversity showed off yet another eye popping routine for the royal guests and other lucky attendees
For the majority of the evening he kept to his smart suit as he introduced the acts and compered the evening.
Although he ensured he made his own special entrance by flying down onto the stage using a jet pack and dressed himself like superspy James Bond.
The show coincides with the 007 films and contained a number of mentions throughout, notably ending with a Bond medley which included acts such as this year's Britain's Got Talent winners Ashleigh and Pudsey performing to a 007-theme.
Taking her seat: The Queen took her place next to the Duke of Edinburgh as they watched the show unfold
Royal seal of approval: The British monarch dressed in her finest as she glittered her way into the venue on the red carpet
Among the other acts he introduced on stage were Robbie Williams, who also gave it his all.
Broadcast on ITV1 next month, the show was filmed on Monday night at the Royal Albert Hall in front of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Amanda Holden, 41, introduced double act Ashleigh Butler and Pudsey and some of the other Britain's Got Talent acts to the stage.
Well, she is a dog fan: The Queen would have no doubt been overjoyed by seeing Ashleigh and Pudsey take to the stage to perform a James Bond-themed routine
In the pink: Pudsey jumped on Ashleigh's shoulder as she pointed her pink plastic gun at the audience members
Crowd pleaser: David Walliams created another shock as he hovered over the audience wearing a crown and holding a large star
Speaking during rehearsals, she said: 'It's hilarious. You are wandering around backstage with gymnasts, dogs and sniffer dogs and massive security, Kylie Minogue, Jimmy Tarbuck, Bruce Forsyth and Harry Styles.
'You're like 'oh my god it's like a dream, or a nightmare!',' she joked.
'I had my picture taken with Bruce Forsyth, Ronnie Corbett and Jimmy Tarbuck, and I said 'if you were a boyband what would you call yourselves?' and Jimmy said 'been there done that.''
Bojangles: Robbie Williams went for a black suit and tie as he showed off his talents
It is a variety show: Even Bruce Forsyth and Paul Potts had their turn on stage offering an array of performances
Classic: The Take That star performed solo at the 100th Royal Variety Show on Monday evening, head of its TV release next month
The Britain's Got Talent judge said of the acts facing a royal audience: 'I performed in front of the Queen in (the musical) Thoroughly Modern Millie... It's just daunting and scary but a massive honour.'
Holden said of the Queen: 'She's a dog nut. Like the rest of Britain, she's a massive animal lover. She loves her horses and she loves the dogs.
'If she could, that's probably who she'd mostly spend time with.'
Variety is the spice of life: Rod Stewart returned to singing duties as he performed his classics
...And even crooner Neil Diamond was among the stars providing the range of entertainment
What a night: Soldiers set the scene as they graced the stage in full dress up gear
Girls Aloud performed The Promise, Robbie Williams sang Mr Bojangles and Different, One Direction did Little Things, and Sir Bruce Forsyth performed in a comedy skit to round off the highlights.
There were also performances from Rod Stewart, Neil Diamond, as well as comedians Rhod Gilbert and Bill Bailey.
Keys said: 'To be part of something that's been happening for 100 years is amazing.
Fancy seeing you here: Ashleigh looked delighted to come across the Queen in person as the monarch greeted her backstage
Golden girl: Kylie shook hands with Queen Elizabeth II after finishing her set
Charmer: Alicia Keys smiled as she watched Placido Domingo kiss the Queen's white glove on her right hand
'I've got instructions about meeting the Queen. I've got to bow to the audience and the royal box.'
Jenkins, who isang the national anthem at what is her fourth Royal Variety Performance, said: 'It's an honour. It does make you nervous when the Queen is watching you. You want to do your best.'
The show will be broadcast on ITV1 on December 3 at 7.30pm.
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