The curse of The Pussycat Dolls: Nicole Scherzinger, Ashley Roberts and Kimberly Wyatt's tour blighted by horror injuries, technical woes and poor ticket sales

They famously sing 'be careful what you wish for' in their hit song When I Grow Up. 

And The Pussycat Dolls will be taking a leaf out of their own book and keeping their fingers crossed for a smoother UK leg later this week after a rocky start to their tour.

Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberly Wyatt and Ashley Roberts have suffered multiple setbacks since they kicked off their comeback shows in September.

The tour has already been plagued by poor ticket sales, member feuds, canceled dates and horror injuries.

Lead singer Nicole, 48, suffered a nasty pre-show accident after spilling boiling water over her leg just an hour before she was due on stage last month. 

Meanwhile, Kimberly, 44, has been recovering from a hip operation after undergoing surgery before the tour.

Ashley, 45, also broke down in tears as she revealed she almost pulled out of the tour after 'freaking out' ahead of performing a solo over claims she can't sing. 

Even before the tour kicked off, the group faced controversy following the exclusion of three of the group's founding members, Carmit Bachar, Jessica Sutta and Melody Thornton. 

As The Pussycat Dolls kick off the UK leg of their reunion tour this Friday, here are all the woes that have happened so far...

The Pussycat Dolls will be keeping their fingers crossed for a smoother UK leg later this week after a rocky start to their tour (Kimberly Wyatt, Nicole Scherzinger and Ashley Roberts L-R)

The group were forced to axe the entire US leg of their comeback tour due to dismal ticket sales and slashed the price of their tickets to as little as $30

Low ticket prices and cancelling tour dates

The group announced their comeback in March along with their first single in six years, Club Song – produced and co-written by Mike Sabath.

However, they were forced to axe the entire US leg of their comeback tour due to dismal ticket sales.

Ashley, Nicola and Kimberly had originally announced they would be reuniting as a trio for a massive 53-date run across the UK, Europe and North America.

But in a humiliating blow, the band were forced to scrap the 33 dates they had planned in their native US as well as Canada after poor sales left arenas 80 per cent empty.

Even after slashing the price of seats to just $30, organisers had no choice but to pull the plug only a month before they were set to have their first show in Palm Desert, California on June 5.

Sharing a statement to Instagram, the band wrote: 'When we announced the PCD FOREVER Tour, we hoped to bring the show to fans across the world.

'After taking an honest look at the North American run, we've made the difficult and heartbreaking decision to cancel all but one of the North America dates.

'Our UK and European dates are still moving forward as planned, and the response has been incredible, with several shows already sold out,' they continued.

'We are putting everything into making this show a true celebration of the music and the memories, for the fans who have been with us from the beginning and those discovering us for the first time.

'We're working hard to create the kind of show we've always dreamed of bringing to you. We cannot wait to bring this reunion to Europe and make these nights unforgettable.'

The trio kicked off their tour in Copenhagen in September followed by shows in Paris, Warsaw and the UK.

Those who bought tickets from Ticketmaster or AXS were informed they would receive a full refund automatically, while those who bought theirs from third-party resellers have been advised to contact their point of purchase.

Nicole Scherzinger's horror burn

Nicole suffered a horror burn injury after accidently spilling boiling water on her legs just moments before she was due on stage in Germany

She revealed the scars on her leg following the incident, which happened an hour before she was due on stage with her band in Düsseldorf

Nicole suffered a horror burn injury after accidentally spilling boiling water on her legs just moments before she was due on stage in Germany.

The singer posted a picture showing the blisters on her leg following the accident, which happened on September 26.

Nicole was left with nasty burns and blisters down one of her legs but, ever the professional, she has proved that the show must go on. 

Fans and friends flooded the comments with support, including iconic disco singer Gloria Gaynor who told her: 'You are a warrior!' 

Nothing stopped Nicole from her usual theatrical, dance-heavy performance complete with the gorgeous coordinating sequined costumes the band wears.

'Nothing like boiling water falling on your leg an hour before your set – but the show must go on,' the singer wrote.

'Thanks Dusseldorf for keeping me going. See you soon Amsterdam.'

In the event of a burn, the NHS recommends immediately cooling the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes and removing any tight clothing or jewellery near the area before swelling starts. 

Feuds 

The Pussycat Dolls' comeback has been marred in controversy due to the exclusion of three of the group's founding members (from left, Kimberly, Melody Thornton, Ashley, Nicole, Jessica Sutta and Carmit Bachar, in 2005)

The Pussycat Dolls' comeback has been marred in controversy since it was first announced due to the exclusion of three of the group's founding members, Carmit Bachar, Jessica Sutta and Melody Thornton.

Carmit and Jessica have since revealed they were both blindsided by the reunion and were never even asked to take part, with the latter going as far as to call it a 'cash grab'.

Asked by a fan if she was going to meet up with the rest of the Pussycat Dolls, Jessica replied: 'No, I'm not. They have been planning it for a year and blatantly didn't ask Carmit and I.

'We are finding it all out the same time as you are. I was not contacted regarding the group's decision to move forward, and I learned of these plans at the same time as the public.'

Carmit went on to call the trio's move 'disappointing on a personal level' but added that she remains 'proud of the role I played in helping shape what The Pussycat Dolls became'.

'My intention in sharing this is not to create division, but to honor the truth and the fans who have supported us throughout the years,' she continued. 'Transparency and respect are values I hold deeply. At this time, I am choosing to focus on my wellbeing and to move forward with positivity and purpose.'

Tech issues

Fans were left baffled last month as a reported technical issue stopped Nicole performing their hit song Buttons during their show in Poland – leaving Ashley and Kimberly awkwardly dancing on stage. 

The gig was thrown into chaos when lead singer Nicole was missing from the first half of the song, with it being said that a technical problem or a wardrobe malfunction was to blame.

Having just performed a medley of her solo tracks, the concert then moved into a climactic moment for their massive global hit Buttons, but with Nicole nowhere to be seen, Ashley and Kimberly were left simply performing the impressive choreography while a backing track played.

In a fan video shared to Instagram, the highly awkward moment saw the women fail to step in and sing Nicole's part, simply chiming in with their minimal vocals with a large gap between them where Nicole should have been. 

The blunder attracted plenty of comments from bewildered fans questioning why Ashley or Kimberly didn't seize the moment to show off their vocals, with many noting that former member Melody Thornton would have stepped up.

While Nicole did a majority of the vocals, Melody, 42, occasionally sang lead vocals and major ad-libs in some Pussycat Dolls numbers, with the singer famously stealing the spotlight by belting out unassigned harmonies during a performance of Buttons at the 2006 American Music Awards.

Tickled fans penned in the comments: 'Where’s Melody when you need her?'

'THIS WAS YOUR CHANCE LADIES'; 'Melody would’ve said watch this'

'glorified oh oh girls, THAT WAS UR CHANCE KIM & ASHLEY!!! but neither of them stepping up to fill in shows me EXACTLY why those 2 were asked to return. Carmit & Melody would have moved to center & taken that opportunity IMMEDIATELY.

'Melody could’ve saved the day; 'Now Melody on the other hand wouldn’t have waisted a single SECOND'

'No one wanted to take this moment to shine? No one? Sad.'

Kimberly Wyatt's hip operation

During the tour, Kimberly made the admission that she underwent a hip replacement as she shared a series of snaps from her hospital bed 

During the tour, Kimberly made the admission that she underwent a hip replacement as she shared a series of snaps from her hospital bed.

The singer first underwent the major operation two years ago, but has shared little detail about what she went through.

But taking to Instagram on Monday, the singer decided to reveal more about her health ordeal, telling her followers that prior to the procedure she could barely walk and was left limping around, while she also struggled to sleep due to the intense pain. 

Kimberly is seen breaking down in tears in one video, while pictures show her hobbling about on crutches while wearing compression socks.

The star is also supported by her then four-year-old son, who sweetly holds her hand in one snap as she rests in bed.

Alongside the pictures and videos, Kimberly penned a lengthy message in which she explained why she had the operation, her recovery and how it has changed her perspective on strength.

She wrote: 'I had a moment tonight. I’m in Dublin, settling into another hotel room, and I’d taken in too much. Too much news. Too much of what’s happening to women. Too much casual cruelty online.

'Too much of the stuff people seem to get away with and a bit too much from my own little world too.'

The singer, who is currently on tour with the reformed group, first underwent the major operation two years ago, but has shared little detail about what she went through

The Don't Cha hitmaker spoke about her previous anguish that the body that has served her so well had 'broken down' and her amazement that it's still going strong on tour 

She continued: 'So I got in the bath and somewhere in there I realised I needed to give my brain something else to hold onto. Something good, Something I’m proud of. 

'Which, weirdly took me straight to my hip. A few years ago I could barely walk. For nearly two years, I limped through every day and barely slept because of the pain.

'I remember watching my children playing on holiday and being in too much pain to walk over to them. I just stood there and I was scared.'

She then explained how she was told she needed a hip replacement and said how she was inspired by tennis star Andy Murray, who had hip resurfacing surgery in 2019.

The Don't Cha hitmaker spoke about her previous anguish that the body that has served her so well had 'broken down' and her amazement that it's still going strong on tour after the hip replacement, four surgeries and three caesareans.

She remarked: 'I barely spoke publicly about my hip at the time. I'd spent my whole life being the strong, athletic one. My body was my instrument. Admitting it had broken down felt frightening.

'So I quietly got on with it. And tonight I thought about where those legs are now. On a Pussycat Dolls tour. After four major surgeries. Three Caesareans. One hip replacement. And somehow this body is still dancing.

'Not like it did at 20. There's been a battle in accepting that. But it dances. It gets me onto that stage. It lets me sweat, perform, lose myself in music and do the thing I knew I wanted to do when I was a kid. That's f**king brilliant.'

Ashley Roberts' 'freak out'

Ashley revealed she was 'freaking out' about singing live during the Pussycat Dolls reunion tour after worrying about her ability to perform a solo

Ashley Roberts revealed she was 'freaking out' about singing live during the Pussycat Dolls reunion tour.

The dancer admitted she almost cancelled a portion of the set list after worrying about her ability to perform a solo.

The star shared a video she filmed at the start of the tour in September, which showed her in floods of tears as she attempted to overcome her nerves.

Ashley explained how she had decided to step out of her comfort zone and sing a solo during the tour to 'show the strength that I have gained over the last decades'.

But the star admitted that after years of being told the group, who are arguably more famous for their dance moves, can't sing, she was 'freaking out'.

'Can I pull it off the way that I want to pull it off? Am I capable, am I enough? Even talking about it my throat is clenching up,' she told fans in the video. 

'I was gonna pull out, I was not gonna do it because I was psyching myself out saying it's gonna sound like s**t,' she continued. 

'A lot of the history within this group was like that we can't sing, "they were just dancers" and I love dance so much, it's my passion, it's my best friend. It's the most beautiful form of therapy ever but I wanted to prove to myself I could do this.' 

Getting more emotional, she explained: 'I was beating myself up for this becuase you promote people believing in themselves and what if you can't do it.'

Ashley explained that it was the encouragement of her 'beautiful' vocal coach Josh, who has worked with chart-toppers including Raye, that convinced her to continue with the solo.  

The star shared a video she filmed at the start of the tour in September, which showed her in a flood of tears as she attempted to overcome her nerves

Breaking down in tears, she said: 'There's just been so many years of a subconcious belief that I can't and so to have someone believe in me and then to heal this part of me is gonna be so big.'

She ended the emotional video by promising that she would perform the solo and stick to the whole ethos of the tour, declaring 'sometimes it doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be real.'

Ashley explained in the caption for the video that since recording the 'raw and vulnerable' confession she has grown in confidence.  

'I filmed this at the start of the tour and honestly, I really didn’t want to post it. Now we’re well into the tour, I’m feeling more confident in myself and my solo, and I can look back at this moment with a lil more love for myself,' she gushed, prompting an outpouring of supportive comments from fans. 

'Looking back, I realise some of that fear had been sitting with me for a long time. This tour has been such a blessing, giving me the chance to face it, work through it and heal. I’m feeling less afraid of what comes up because I know I can move through it.'

'And the love and support y’all have shown me along the way… my god I’ve felt it so much. Thank you for cheering me on as I grow into this next version of myself.'