Nicola dances to the Beat in video

Going it alone ... Nicola Roberts

NICOLA ROBERTS flashes a rare smile in the video for her debut solo single.

The flame-haired star, famed for a somewhat surly demeanour, is the latest GIRLS ALOUD member to go it alone, releasing first track Beat Of My Drum on June 5.
The clip sees the fashion-savvy Scouser showing off her dance moves, while wearing hot pants and high heels.
Nicola has been grafting in the studio with cutting edge producers DIMITRI, METRONOMY and DIPLO.
And her impressive vocals work a treat on this summery track.

Dancing around ... Nicola jives with some pals in a studio

She told me: "It's a fun record. It was important my first single was different to anything else around.
"I love that it's a song everyone can sing and dance along to."
Her debut album Cinderella's Eyes will be out in the autumn.
And she's rumoured to be reuniting with Girls Aloud next year for a tour to celebrate their 10th anniversary.
The band have suffered mixed fortunes since their split a couple of years ago.
CHERYL COLE scored a few No1s, while bandmate NADINE COYLE was a total flop.

Solo beat ... Nicola in new music video