In pictures: Cheryl Cole's rise to fame

Cheryl Cole looks set to storm straight to number one with her debut solo single, Fight For This Love, this week.

But life hasn't always been so high-profile and glamorous for the X Factor judge.

Rewind seven years to 2002, and Cheryl was the one competing in a reality TV show, called Popstars the Rivals, where she was transformed into a member of Girls Aloud.

The girls released their single at the same time as their boy band rivals on the show, One True Voice, but it was Cheryl and co who had the last laugh.

Girls Aloud went on to become Britain's most successful female group, with 20 top 10 singles, four number ones and a BRIT award.

In 2005, they were so popular toys makers decided to bring out a range of Girls Aloud dolls!

But Cheryl's also made plenty of headlines on her own, especially after she announced that she was dating England footie star Ashley Cole.

In 2006, Cheryl was snapped cheering her husband on with fellow Wag Victoria Beckham at the Germany World Cup.

And the pair were a regular sight on the front row of several fashion shows that year too.

But publicity for the pair wasn't always favourable. Lots of people criticised them when they agreed to pose for this advert for a new lottery game.

Meanwhile, Girls Aloud carried on with their assault on the charts. Here they are recording in Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley's home as part of the 2008 Live Lounge tour.

In 2009, Cheryl and Girls Aloud bandmate Kimberley Walsh were among the celebs who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise money for Comic Relief.

Now Cheryl is by far the most famous member of Girls Aloud and preparing to launch her first solo album, just a year after helping Alexandra Burke to stardom on X Factor.

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