Britain’s latest manufactured pop groups were forced to hold back their tears Wednesday after promoters canceled their debut 11-night “Popstars” tour.
Boy band One True Voice and their chart-topping female rivals Girls Aloud had been due to begin the two weeks of arena concerts on March 1.
Concert promoter Triple A Entertainments and Granada, the producers of the “Popstars” television show, both declined to comment on why the tour was canceled.
Media reports suggested tickets had not been selling, but a spokeswoman for the London Arena, where the bands were due to play on March 3, said ticket sales had been good.
“We are really disappointed that the tour has been canceled,” One True Voice said in a statement.
“We were looking forward to getting out and meeting our fans around the UK and we hope to be on the road again soon.”
Girls Aloud said they were also disappointed.
“Sarah, Nadine, Kimberley, Nicola and Cheryl were looking forward to performing in front of the fans that had made them number one for three weeks,” the five-piece group said.
Girls Aloud, whose single “Sound of the Underground,” topped the UK charts at Christmas, said they hoped to stage their own tour soon.
A new single, “No Good Advice,” is due for release in May.
The two bands were created from thousands of hopefuls who auditioned for Granada’s “Popstars – The Rivals” show.
