The `Don`t Hold Your Breath` hitmaker - who has now launched a successful solo career following the disbandment of the girl group - explained while she enjoyed having her "entourage" alongside her, she thinks going it alone is "a lot more relaxed".

She said: "Before it was like I had my entourage with me, my girl gang - and now it`s just me. On stage I was definitely more like a character, like we were all little superhero dolls and I was like Queen Doll.

"With five girls in a group there`s always a lot of things involved. When it`s just you, you`ve only got a couple of people around you and it`s a lot more relaxed.

"I`m in touch with a few of them. We grew up so much together, that`s always going to be a sisterhood. I couldn`t be in a group with anyone else."

Despite the band`s raunchy lyrics and dance routines, Nicole - who is dating Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton - thinks the Pussycat Dolls were "excellent role models" to young girls.

She told Britain`s Glamour magazine: "I watch videos today and every artist is wearing fewer clothes than we were! I think we were excellent role models. We kept it sassy and clean.

"We were well-behaved girls with no crazy stuff going on, really down to earth with good morals."
sections: Celebrities