Girls Aloud stars Nicola Roberts and Nadine Coyle have paid tribute to the late Sarah Harding.
The singer passed away on Sunday morning following a battle with breast cancer and, after receiving the heartbreaking news, Nicola shared an emotional post on Instagram.
Alongside a gallery of behind the scenes snaps from early in the band’s career, she penned: “I’m absolutely devastated and I can’t accept that this day has come.
“My heart is aching and all day everything we went through together has raced round my mind. Especially this last year since her diagnosis, as hard as the year has been, our new memories are strong in my heart.
“There are so many things to say and at first it felt to personal to put them here and then I remembered that there are so many other people grieving her too.
“A part of me or us isn’t here anymore and it’s unthinkable and painful and utterly cruel. She would have loved your messages today.”
Nicola added: “Electric girl, you made us. You gave it everything and still with a smile.
“A white butterfly flew past my window this morning before I knew, it must have been you.”
Meanwhile, Nadine said in her own post: “I am absolutely devastated!! I can’t think of words that could possibly express how I feel about this girl & what she means to me!!
“I know so many of you will be feeling this way. For now I’m sending so much love to you!!!”
In her own post, Kimberley Walsh shared: “Beautiful Sarah this hurts so bad. To wake up and know that you are really gone is too much to bear. Hearing your infectious chuckle was one of my favourite things in the world.
“Your fire burned so bright and you loved, lived and laughed so hard. Sending love and strength to everyone who is grieving today. My heart is broken.”
Cheryl also shared a poignant tribute, penning: “Although we knew this day would arrive I am somehow still feeling at a loss for words that our stunning, unique, crazy, quirky, kind and soft hearted girl has departed.
“As I try to navigate my way through these painfully strange and horribly unfamiliar waves of disbelief & finality I am experiencing, I wanted to extend my condolences to all of our GA fans. We were like an extended family for so long and we know so many of you by name.
“I wanted to make sure you knew just how much your love and continued support meant to Sarah through her most vulnerable times. She was so grateful and you really lifted her spirits when she needed you most.
“I also realize so many will be deeply affected by the circumstances of Sarah’s passing… I am sending you all so much love,” she concluded. “I love you Sarah… farewell.”
Others close to the band also took to social media to pay tribute to Sarah, including Xenomania producers Brian Higgins and Miranda Cooper.
“I’ve just spoken to miranda and learned that our dear Sarah has left us. We’re all devastated,” they tweeted.
“We wish enormous sympathy to Sarah’s family as well as @CherylOfficial, @NadineCoyleNow, @KimberleyJWalsh and @NicolaRoberts as well as the millions of people who supported Girls Aloud.
“Sarah’s energy and spirit where a huge part of what made them such a special group and to lose her so early is beyond sad.”
Sarah’s mother Marie confirmed the tragic news of her daughter’s passing, aged 39, in a statement on Instagram on Sunday.
She wrote: “It’s with deep heartbreak that today I’m sharing the news that my beautiful daughter Sarah has sadly passed away.
“I’d like to thank everyone for their kind support over the past year. It meant the world to Sarah and it gave her great strength and comfort to know she was loved.”
Sarah announced she had been diagnosed with “advanced” breast cancer in August 2020 and revealed the disease had spread to other parts of her body.
Earlier this year, the singer released her memoir ‘Hear Me Out‘, and shared the devastating news of her prognosis, confirming: “In December my doctor told me that the upcoming Christmas would probably be my last.”
However, Sarah said she was “trying to live and enjoy every second of my life, however long it might be”.
