British pop star Kimberley Walsh has one reason to be happy her band Girls Aloud split this year (13) - she can spend the festive season with her family for the first time since her career took off.

  The Promise hitmakers announced their break-up in March (13) following a 10-year anniversary tour, and Walsh has revealed she has worked every Christmas since their rise to fame.

  Last December (12) she was also a contestant on U.K. Tv show Strictly Come Dancing, but now she is looking forward to ringing in the New Year with her loved ones.

  Walsh says, "I don't remember last year - I was doing Strictly. It was all just a bit of a blur."

  She adds, "For the first time in, like, 11 years I am actually going to have a bit of time around Christmas. I can't wait! I'll be able to wrap presents leisurely, play Mrs Claus. I'm excited!... It's all about family. I'm really looking forward to it."

  But Walsh will still find time for a drink with her former bandmates, adding, "I think that we need a festive gathering of some sort, maybe at my house. I'll get the mulled wine out and some cheese and crackers and we'll have a good old catch-up."