It's official! Girls Aloud are making a comeback next Friday

Return ... beauties are back four years after last album

GIRLS Aloud today confirmed they are finally making a pop comeback.

The group - who celebrate their 10th anniversary next month - have posted a countdown clock on their official website, marking nine days on Friday October 19.

And star Cheryl Cole could barely contain her excitement, taking to Twitter to announce: “Today is a very good day to be a Girls Aloud Fan! #GirlsAloudAreBack”.

Charttoppers ... Girls Aloud had four number ones

Cheryl and bandmates Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh and Sarah Harding are rumoured to have already filmed a video for their comeback single after recording the lyrics for the track separately.

The Sound of the Underground chart-toppers are expected to perform on Strictly Come Dancing - with singer Kimberley currently competing on the ballroom dancing show.

Winners ... girls back in 2002

But how they plan to mark their return is being kept top secret at the moment.

It’s four years since the girls released their last album.

The beauties formed during reality TV show Popstars: The Rivals in 2002 and went on hiatus in 2009 to focus on individual projects.

They've also set up an official Twitter account of their own @girlsaloud - which has already clocked up more than 7,000 followers.