Nicola Roberts talks to First News about her new single, Beat of My Drum, as well as revealing what school was like for her, how she feels about fame and if Girls Aloud are going to start performing together again.

Tell me about your new single....

Beat of My Drum. It’s a fun record. The production is very clean, full of imagination and playful. It just kind of happened like that.

What’s it like performing solo compared to being with Girls Aloud?

Very different! The last time I had been on stage was two years ago with the girls on a full tour: six dancers, a full band and five girls and props galore and everything going on. Last week it was just me and the band I had put together and no-one really knowing the song, as it had only just been out there. I was on my own. I was terrified. I’d forgotten what a crowd that size looks and feels like. But, then, the next time I was more comfortable. Now I can’t wait to get back on stage. It just takes a bit of getting used to.

What else are you up to?

I’ve been working on the album called Cinderella’s Eyes. It’s electronically driven. I feel like there is something for everybody on the album. I was working with Dimitri Tikovoi in the studio and we built one track, Baby in the Corner, around this crazy drum pattern. I started to rap over the verse section, and because the song was supposed to be an album track there were no rules. We could be as creative as possible. I am a really creative person. I‘m at my most confident and happiest when I am able to create something. So whether it’s my Dainty Doll range that I have worked on, or music, or shoe design, it’s when I come into my own.

What about your school days. Were you ever bullied?

I had the best time at school. I was quite quiet and in a big group of friends. Some were naughty, some quiet, some a bit crazy and some not doing homework, but we had fun. It was a very social thing for me at school and I really do miss it a lot. I wasn’t bullied. Kids can be cruel, sometimes. We all looked after each other in my little group.

Is there too much pressure on girls growing up at the moment? 

There’s too much pressure on girls. Society is very wrapped up in how people look and how well people are doing. I think, as a world, we have our eyes on things more forcefully than ever before. Whatever age you are, and whatever you do, society is more judging, so everybody is under more pressure to do better, be better, and look better.

Many kids just want to be famous. What do you think about that?

They associate fame with the glamour. Seeing people coming out of nice restaurants, nice cars and having nice clothes. But you don’t have to achieve those things just by being famous. You can be good at your job and work as hard as possible and create a career which can enable you to have those things. I think the sad thing about fame is people wanting to be famous for fame’s sake – that’s an attention seeking quality. If you want to be as successful as possible at your art or your skill, take a look at what you are really asking for.

With all this pressure, what’s your advice to kids growing up?

Don’t panic, don’t push it, let things evolve naturally. When people panic that’s when they do silly things. Surround yourself with a lovely group of friends who believe in each other and take each other for who you are. Start each day as happy as possible and just relax, and you will naturally evolve.

Are there any plans for a Girls Aloud reunion?

We are all, now, out of our comfort zones as we’re not doing the band at the minute. We’re there for each other and we just wish each other luck with whatever we are doing. Well, it’s our tenth anniversary next year so it would be really good to celebrate that – however that would happen!