Girls Aloud have split up.

The 'Something New' hitmakers confirmed they have called it quits just hours after they performed the final date of their reunion UK tour in Liverpool on Wednesday night (20.03.13).

In a message on the girl band's official Twitter page, they said: ''Dear Alouders, we just want to say from the bottom of our hearts Thank you!! This tour has been an amazing experience and the perfect chance to say thank you for being on this journey with us through a decade. It has far exceeded any of our dreams and we hope we are forever your inspiration and reminder that dreams really do glitter!! Your love and support will stay with us forever but we have now come to the end of our incredible time together. Love you lots.''

The band's split is unlikely to come as a surprise as they were rumoured to be preparing to go their separate ways after celebrating their 10-year reunion with a greatest hits album and the tour.

Girls Aloud - which is made up of Kimberley Walsh, Nadine Coyle, Cheryl Cole, Nicola Roberts and Sarah Harding - were previously said to have made a pact to keep the news secret until their 'Ten - The Hits' tour ended.