The Cheeky Girls
Encyclopedia
The Cheeky Girls are a pop
duo consisting of twin sisters Gabriela and Monica Irimia, from Cluj-Napoca
in Transylvania
, Romania, but based in Britain
. After appearing as auditionees in Popstars: The Rivals, they achieved success in the charts with four top ten hits between 2002 and 2004. They are best known for their debut single, "Cheeky Song (Touch My Bum)", which has sold more than 1.2 million copies worldwide.
's Model Behaviour and more importantly Popstars
: The Rivals. Following two appearances on the show with their audition which had judges Pete Waterman
and Louis Walsh
not knowing what to say (Waterman was later quoted as saying they were the worst act ever), various record companies approached the Granada Press Office. The Press Office contacted Paul Holland at Granada Ventures who was able to secure them a deal with the Multiply
label part of Telstar Records
. Cheeky Song (Touch My Bum) was swiftly recorded and released in the first week in December. Entering the chart at number two, the single remained in the top five for five consecutive weeks – four of them at number two. In the week before Christmas this was one of three singles from the Popstars: The Rivals show to occupy the Top 3, One True Voice
and Girls Aloud
held the other two positions.
This was quickly followed up with two more top three hits, "Take Your Shoes Off" and "(Hooray, Hooray!) It's a Cheeky Holiday!
". Their style of music is primarily disco-pop, aimed at the pre-teen market. Most of their songs are written by their mother, who also acts as their manager. In January 2004, their first single, "The Cheeky Song (Touch my Bum)" was voted the worst pop record of all time in a Channel 4
poll.
When their record company Multiply
went into liquidation in 2004, the girls turned down several deals from other companies and decided to launch their own label XBN, to continue their music career, but with lesser success. From 2004, they began to appear regularly in other media such as television appearances on Brainiac
and The Weakest Link
and opening the studios of a new local radio station Big L 1395
, along with Cliff Richard
. The Cheeky Girls are also involved in a lot of charity work and are very keen supporters of the UK Children's Charity ChildLine
.
On 4 August 2006, the Evening Standard
reported that the Cheeky Girls were already "at rock bottom" and facing bankruptcy
action in court owing to not having been paid by their now defunct record company Telstar Records
. The article said that the girls owed £4,500 in unpaid taxes, along with other bills due, and that Telstar owes them £2.2 million. Later, it was reported that they owed £130,000 in total.
In September 2009, the girls released their Cheeky Girls make-up range, aimed at the young teen market.
In January 2010, Gabriela and Monica auditioned for Britain's Got Talent
under the name Cheeky Girls and Darius. The trio performed a Bollywood dance at the Hammersmith Apollo
, London. The judges reacted favourably and they were voted through to continue in the competition. However, they did not make it to the Semi-Finals.
In November 2010, Gabriela and Monica appeared on the Celebrity edition of Channel 4
reality programme Coach Trip
two days before the series' end.
In December 2005 it was revealed by the tabloids that former Liberal Democrat
MP Lembit Öpik
had broken up with long time fiancée, ITV1
weather presenter Siân Lloyd
, and was now romancing Gabriela. He was also involved in a case involving the girls' deportation to Romania. As of 21 April they were engaged, though news of Gabriela breaking up with Lembit was reported in July 2008. It was later reported that Gabriela had miscarried the then Montgomeryshire MP's baby.
On Friday 7 January 2011, Gabriela was arrested on suspicion of stealing groceries in the Wilmslow branch of Sainsbury's. She was subsequently given a caution
for theft. The report erroneously refers to a "26-year-old" as in January 2011, Gabriela was 28 (born October 1982).
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
duo consisting of twin sisters Gabriela and Monica Irimia, from Cluj-Napoca
Cluj-Napoca
Cluj-Napoca , commonly known as Cluj, is the fourth most populous city in Romania and the seat of Cluj County in the northwestern part of the country. Geographically, it is roughly equidistant from Bucharest , Budapest and Belgrade...
in Transylvania
Transylvania
Transylvania is a historical region in the central part of Romania. Bounded on the east and south by the Carpathian mountain range, historical Transylvania extended in the west to the Apuseni Mountains; however, the term sometimes encompasses not only Transylvania proper, but also the historical...
, Romania, but based in Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
. After appearing as auditionees in Popstars: The Rivals, they achieved success in the charts with four top ten hits between 2002 and 2004. They are best known for their debut single, "Cheeky Song (Touch My Bum)", which has sold more than 1.2 million copies worldwide.
Biography
Gabriela and Monica were born on 31 October 1982 to Doru and Margit Irimia. Gabriela is older by 10 minutes. Their early life in Romania consisted of studying gymnastics and ballet and touring with the Hungarian National Opera. Moving to the United Kingdom with their mother in 2002, the girls shot to fame as the Cheeky Girls after auditioning on the British TV shows, Channel 4Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
's Model Behaviour and more importantly Popstars
Popstars
Popstars is an international reality television franchise and a precursor to the Idol series. The series first began in New Zealand in 1999 when producer Jonathan Dowling formed the five member all-girl group TrueBliss...
: The Rivals. Following two appearances on the show with their audition which had judges Pete Waterman
Pete Waterman
Peter Alan Waterman OBE is an English record producer, occasional songwriter, radio and club DJ, television presenter, president of Coventry Bears rugby league club and a keen railway enthusiast. As a member of the Stock Aitken Waterman songwriting team he wrote and produced many hit singles...
and Louis Walsh
Louis Walsh
Louis Walsh is an Irish music manager and judge on the British television talent show The X Factor.-Band manager:...
not knowing what to say (Waterman was later quoted as saying they were the worst act ever), various record companies approached the Granada Press Office. The Press Office contacted Paul Holland at Granada Ventures who was able to secure them a deal with the Multiply
Multiply Records
Multiply Records was a subsidiary of Telstar Records, that launched in 1993 and went into liquidation in 2004. Its major signings included Sash! and The Cheeky Girls....
label part of Telstar Records
Telstar Records
Telstar Records was a record label founded in 1982 by Sean O'Brien and Neil Palmer with a government loan of £120,000. It was founded as a specialist compilation marketing label and had hits with a range of compilation franchises such as the Deep Heat, Kaos Theory and 100% ranges...
. Cheeky Song (Touch My Bum) was swiftly recorded and released in the first week in December. Entering the chart at number two, the single remained in the top five for five consecutive weeks – four of them at number two. In the week before Christmas this was one of three singles from the Popstars: The Rivals show to occupy the Top 3, One True Voice
One True Voice
One True Voice were a British boyband created on the ITV television series Popstars: The Rivals, which also produced girl group Girls Aloud. The band was created by the public, who voted for their favourite hopefuls each week...
and Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud are a British and Irish pop girl group based in London. They were created through the ITV1 talent show Popstars The Rivals in 2002. The group consists of Cheryl Cole , Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh. They are signed to Fascination Records, a Polydor...
held the other two positions.
This was quickly followed up with two more top three hits, "Take Your Shoes Off" and "(Hooray, Hooray!) It's a Cheeky Holiday!
Hooray! Hooray! It's a Holi-Holiday
"Hooray! Hooray! It's a Holi-Holiday" is a 1979 single by disco band Boney M. as an adaption of nursery rhyme Polly Wolly Doodle. Despite breaking their row of 7 consecutive German #1 singles, peaking at #4, the single was a big hit all over Europe, peaking at #3 in the UK. The song and its B-side...
". Their style of music is primarily disco-pop, aimed at the pre-teen market. Most of their songs are written by their mother, who also acts as their manager. In January 2004, their first single, "The Cheeky Song (Touch my Bum)" was voted the worst pop record of all time in a Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
poll.
When their record company Multiply
Multiply Records
Multiply Records was a subsidiary of Telstar Records, that launched in 1993 and went into liquidation in 2004. Its major signings included Sash! and The Cheeky Girls....
went into liquidation in 2004, the girls turned down several deals from other companies and decided to launch their own label XBN, to continue their music career, but with lesser success. From 2004, they began to appear regularly in other media such as television appearances on Brainiac
Brainiac: Science Abuse
Brainiac: Science Abuse is a British entertainment TV show with a science motif. Numerous experiments are carried out in each show, often to verify whether common conceptions are true or simply to create impressive explosions...
and The Weakest Link
The Weakest Link
The Weakest Link is a television game show which first appeared in the United Kingdom on BBC Two on 14 August 2000 and will end its run in 2012 when its host Anne Robinson ends her contract. The original British version of the show airs around the world on BBC Entertainment...
and opening the studios of a new local radio station Big L 1395
Big L 1395
Big L is the name of a broadcasting company registered by the British licensing authority Ofcom from for a satellite radio service known as Big L. The license states that the station "… will provide an eclectic mix of rock and pop, both modern and classic. News and weather will be broadcast hourly...
, along with Cliff Richard
Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
. The Cheeky Girls are also involved in a lot of charity work and are very keen supporters of the UK Children's Charity ChildLine
ChildLine
ChildLine is a free 24 hour counselling service for children and young people up to 18 in the UK provided by the NSPCC. ChildLine deals with any issue which causes distress or concern, common issues dealt with include child abuse, bullying, parental separation or divorce, pregnancy and substance...
.
On 4 August 2006, the Evening Standard
Evening Standard
The Evening Standard, now styled the London Evening Standard, is a free local daily newspaper, published Monday–Friday in tabloid format in London. It is the dominant regional evening paper for London and the surrounding area, with coverage of national and international news and City of London...
reported that the Cheeky Girls were already "at rock bottom" and facing bankruptcy
Bankruptcy in the United Kingdom
Bankruptcy in the United Kingdom does not have a singular law. There is one system for England and Wales, one for Northern Ireland and one for Scotland.Across the United Kingdom, bankruptcy refers only to insolvency of individuals and partnerships...
action in court owing to not having been paid by their now defunct record company Telstar Records
Telstar Records
Telstar Records was a record label founded in 1982 by Sean O'Brien and Neil Palmer with a government loan of £120,000. It was founded as a specialist compilation marketing label and had hits with a range of compilation franchises such as the Deep Heat, Kaos Theory and 100% ranges...
. The article said that the girls owed £4,500 in unpaid taxes, along with other bills due, and that Telstar owes them £2.2 million. Later, it was reported that they owed £130,000 in total.
In September 2009, the girls released their Cheeky Girls make-up range, aimed at the young teen market.
In January 2010, Gabriela and Monica auditioned for Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent (series 4)
The fourth series of Britain's Got Talent was broadcast on ITV from 17 April 2010 to 5 June 2010. It was presented by Ant & Dec and won by gymnastic troupe Spelbound. Judges Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden returned for the televised auditions on 18 January at the Clyde Auditorium in...
under the name Cheeky Girls and Darius. The trio performed a Bollywood dance at the Hammersmith Apollo
Hammersmith Apollo
Hammersmith Apollo is a major entertainment venue located in Hammersmith, London. Designed by Robert Cromie in Art Deco style, it opened in 1932 as the Gaumont Palace cinema, being re-named the Hammersmith Odeon in 1962...
, London. The judges reacted favourably and they were voted through to continue in the competition. However, they did not make it to the Semi-Finals.
In November 2010, Gabriela and Monica appeared on the Celebrity edition of Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
reality programme Coach Trip
Coach Trip
Coach Trip is a reality show that was broadcast on Channel 4 with More4 and Pick TV showing repeats since 7 March 2005. The programme returned on 25 May 2009. The show's format consists of 4 to 7 teams of 2 undertaking a coach tour principally of continental Europe...
two days before the series' end.
Personal lives
In 2007 it was revealed that they had had breast implants to go up to a 34C.In December 2005 it was revealed by the tabloids that former Liberal Democrat
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
MP Lembit Öpik
Lembit Öpik
Lembit Öpik is a British Liberal Democrat politician. He was the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Montgomeryshire in Wales from 1997 until he lost his seat in the 2010 General Election...
had broken up with long time fiancée, ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
weather presenter Siân Lloyd
Siân Lloyd
Siân Lloyd is a Welsh television presenter, best known as a ITV Weather presenter.-Biography:Lloyd was born in Maesteg, Bridgend, Wales, the daughter of two teachers. She attended Ystalyfera Bilingual School and performed at the Eisteddfod where she won the Crown...
, and was now romancing Gabriela. He was also involved in a case involving the girls' deportation to Romania. As of 21 April they were engaged, though news of Gabriela breaking up with Lembit was reported in July 2008. It was later reported that Gabriela had miscarried the then Montgomeryshire MP's baby.
On Friday 7 January 2011, Gabriela was arrested on suspicion of stealing groceries in the Wilmslow branch of Sainsbury's. She was subsequently given a caution
Police caution
A police caution is a formal alternative to prosecution in minor cases, administered by the police and other law enforcement agencies in England and Wales, and in Hong Kong...
for theft. The report erroneously refers to a "26-year-old" as in January 2011, Gabriela was 28 (born October 1982).
Albums
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
||||
| 2004 | PartyTime
|
14 |
British Phonographic Industry The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies... : Silver |
|
| 2007 | In My Mind (Is A Different World – A Cheeky One)
|
— |
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak Chart Positions | Album | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
IRE Ireland Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth... |
AUS ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
FRA France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... |
GER Germany Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate... |
JPN Japan Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south... |
HUN Hungary Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The... |
CHI China Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture... |
|||
| 2002 | "Cheeky Song (Touch My Bum)" | 2 | 12 | 59 | 19 | 19 | 6 | 12 | 6 | "PartyTime" |
| 2003 | "Take Your Shoes Off Take Your Shoes Off Take Your Shoes Off is a blues album by Robert Cray, winning the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album. It was released on 27 April 1999, through the Rykodisc label. The album won a Grammy Award not just for Cray, but also for drummer and composer Steve Jordan as producer... " |
3 | 13 | — | — | 15 | 4 | 7 | 3 | |
| "(Hooray, Hooray!) It's a Cheeky Holiday! Hooray! Hooray! It's a Holi-Holiday "Hooray! Hooray! It's a Holi-Holiday" is a 1979 single by disco band Boney M. as an adaption of nursery rhyme Polly Wolly Doodle. Despite breaking their row of 7 consecutive German #1 singles, peaking at #4, the single was a big hit all over Europe, peaking at #3 in the UK. The song and its B-side... " |
3 | 5 | — | — | 40 | 11 | 7 | 10 | ||
| "Have a Cheeky Christmas" | 10 | 46 | — | — | 60 | 27 | - | 15 | ||
| 2004 | "Cheeky Flamenco" | 29 | 31 | — | — | — | 85 | - | 50 | In My Mind (Is A Different World – A Cheeky One) |
| "Boys and Girls (Xmas Time Love)" | 50 | 80 | — | — | — | — | - | 107 | ||
| 2005 | "The Farmyard Hokey" | — | — | — | — | — | — | 56 | — | |