Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding has died
The singer passed away on Sunday morning following a battle with breast cancer, her mother Marie confirmed. She was 39.
In a statement shared on Instagram, she said: “It’s with deep heartbreak that today I’m sharing the news that my beautiful daughter Sarah has sadly passed away.
“Many of you will know of Sarah’s battle with cancer and that she fought so strongly from her diagnosis until her last day. She slipped away peacefully this morning.
“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.
“I know she won’t want to be remembered for her fight against this terrible disease – she was a bright shining star and I hope that’s how she can be remembered instead.”
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”.
The Sound of the Underground star shot to fame in 2002 as a contestant on ‘Popstars: The Rivals’, when she was grouped with Nadine Coyle, Cheryl Tweedy, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh.
Together, the group released five hit studio albums and scored a run of 21 UK Top 10 singles, including Biology, Call The Shots, The Promise and Something New.
Girls Aloud reunited in 2012 after a short hiatus and announced their split in 2013 following the release of their second greatest hits album ‘Ten’ and its accompanying tour.
Sarah went on to enjoy a successful career on screen, appearing in ‘Coronation Street’ and the movie ‘St. Trinian’s 2: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold’.
She released the solo single Threads in 2015 and Wear It Like a Crown in 2021.
