Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding dies at 39; singer went public with late-stage breast cancer last year; her mother announced the news on Instagram, describing her as a “bright shining star”.
Image: Sarah Harding reacts to winning during the live final of Celebrity Big Brother, at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.
Key points:
- Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding dies at the age of 39
- She revealed last August she had advanced breast cancer and said she would likely not see another Christmas
- Her mother announced her death on Instagram, describing her as a ‘bright shining star’
- Celebrities and fans have been paying tribute to the star, who was ‘always the driving energy in the room’
- Harding rose to fame with Girls Aloud in 2002 after appearing in ITV’s Popstars: The Rivals
- She also had parts in a number of television series and films
- Live reporting by Emily Mee and Chris Robertson
18:24
Tribute to ‘bubbly and talented’ star
Pete Waterman, who was a judge on Popstars: The Rivals when Harding won, said she was a “bubbly” and “talented” star.
18:13
X-Factor winner Joe McElderry pays tribute
Joe McElderry, who won X-Factor in 2009, said on Twitter that she was always “so lovely”.
17:53
‘She lit up the space she was in’: Entertainment journalist Kevin Hughes said the star was ‘vivacious’
Kevin Hughes, an entertainment journalist, told Sky News: “I have nothing negative about to say about Sarah Harding. She truly was a wonderful, beautiful person, and she wore her heart on her sleeve.
“And of course, in the last few months, we got to learn about her life in the book that she released only six months ago, Hear Me Out, in which she documented her life story and she really wanted the world and fans to know the real Sarah Harding.
“But today’s news utterly, utterly devastating, utterly heart-breaking and still hasn’t sunk in, really.
“[She was] So vivacious, so full of life – just a wonderful spirit. The tabloids, of course, enjoyed painting the picture of her being the party animal, the rock chick, but she really did embody pop star and pop star life.
“Away from that, though, was someone who was slightly fragile at times… but always incredibly loving, always incredibly generous. She was the sort of pop star, if I was to interview her, she would want to spend five minutes asking me how I was, what I’d been up to, ‘can I get you a drink? Can I buy you something?’ She was just so incredibly kind and loving.
“And as I said, when she walked into a room or walked down a red carpet promoting some of the Girls Aloud albums, singles, or her acting career, she literally lit up the space she was in.”
17:45
Pop Idol winner shares her memories of Sarah Harding
Michelle McManus, who was the winner of the second series of Pop Idol in 2003, says that Harding was “really lovely” every time they met.
17:29
Former bandmate pays her tributes
Nadine Coyle, who was a fellow member of Girls Aloud with Harding, has posted her tribute on Instagram.
She wrote: “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!!!”
Coyle also posted a picture of Harding laughing.
17:11
Cancer charities pay tribute to Harding
Macmillan Cancer Support says it is “sorry to hear the news” of Sarah Harding’s death, adding: “Our love and thoughts go out to her family, friends and loved ones at this extremely difficult time”.
Breast Cancer Now also send condolences, saying in a statement: “We are devastated to hear of the passing of Sarah Harding, another young woman who has tragically lost her life to secondary breast cancer. We send our love and support to her friends and family.”
17:01
Louis Walsh says he will remember Harding with ‘great fondness’
The music manager, who was a judge on Popstars: The Rivals when Girls Aloud was formed, said “it’s just sad she has gone too young”.
“She was always fun and the life and soul of the party,” he said in a statement.
“Anytime she came to Dublin in the early days we went out to the pod nightclub and would be the last to leave.
“It’s just so unfair, I was hoping she was getting better. She was fun and loved music, dancing and life. I will remember her with great fondness.”
16:51
How Sarah Harding’s career began
The star had worked as a nightclub promoter, a waitress at Pizza Hut and a BT telephone operator before she got her big break.
She began her musical career touring pubs and social clubs in the North West, performing her own material, before auditioning for Popstars: The Rivals in 2002.
Singing just a few lines acapella from Steps’ Last Thing On My Mind and blowing Louis Walsh a kiss, she was sent through to the next round almost immediately by judge Peter Waterman.
She’d beaten several thousand applications from across the UK to get down to the final 10 boys and ten girls.
Harding ended up making it to the final five, joining the girls who would later form Girls Aloud – and the rest is a Whole Lotta History.
16:37
Fellow Celebrity Big Brother star says their time on show ‘feels like yesterday’
Marissa Jade, who was in the Celebrity Big Brother house at the same time as Sarah Harding, has paid tribute on Twitter.
“Feels like yesterday we were in the CBB house and I was giving you a therapy session on how to stay calm, strong & don’t leave the house! No more pain beautiful,” she wrote.
16:31
Fans point out Girls Aloud’s catalogue begins and ends with Sarah Harding’s voice
The star’s vocals are the first to heard in Girls Aloud’s debut single Sound of The Underground, and their last song ends with her words “I still think about you every now and then”.
16:26
‘We sang Biology in the toilets and she poured me drinks all night’
Twitter user Topher Taylor has shared fond memories of the few times he met Sarah Harding, including the time she poured him drinks “just to be nice”.
“I had about £8 to my name. She clocked I couldn’t afford drinks & poured me vodka from the big table bottle & champagne ALL NIGHT. Literally. Just to be nice. Only a small thing but how nice,” he wrote.
He also recalled how she had been wearing a “beautiful gown” and they had sung Girls Aloud hit Biology in the toilets.
16:18
How fans have reacted
While plenty of high-profile names have been paying tribute to Sarah Harding, thousands of fans have also been flooding Twitter with love and support for the star.
“Girls Aloud were the best band these islands produced this century, and Sarah Harding was the engine of their raucous, hell-for-leather spirit that always made me feel like I was at the party, even when I was a lost and lonely kid,” wrote one fan.
Others praised her for “just being herself” and proving a “highlight” of the pop group’s live shows.
16:11
In pictures: Sarah Harding through the years
From her time in hugely popular band Girls Aloud to her Celebrity Big Brother win, here’s some photographs of Sarah Harding throughout her almost 20 years in the public eye.
16:03
Fans inspired by Sarah Harding’s tattoo
A larger-than-life figure, Sarah Harding had a tattoo across her back reading “Don’t Be Bitter, Glitter”.
One fan, Matt Horwood, shared a photograph of the ink and wrote: “I really think we could all stand to embody that a little bit more.”
15:57
Boyzone star says Harding had ‘infectious’ energy
Paying tribute to the “lovely” Sarah Harding, Mikey Graham said she was “way too young”.
“Her high energy was infectious and great fun to be around,” he wrote.
15:55
Sarah Harding said last Christmas was likely to be her last
The 39-year-old announced last year she had advanced breast cancer which had spread to other parts of her body.
Tragically, she also revealed that doctors told her Christmas 2020 would likely be her last.
In her memoir, Hear Me Out, she wrote: “In December my doctor told me that the upcoming Christmas would probably be my last. I don’t want an exact prognosis. I don’t know why anyone would want that.
“Comfort and being as pain-free as possible is what’s important to me now.”
She added: “I’m trying to live and enjoy every second of my life, however long it might be. I am having a glass of wine or two during all this, because it helps me relax.
“I’m sure some people might think that’s not a great idea, but I want to try to enjoy myself.”
15:51
Alesha Dixon describes Harding as ‘shining star’
15:49
The song that brought Girls Aloud their first number one
For many of us, listening to Girls Aloud brings a wave of nostalgia and this is perhaps one of their most memorable tracks.
Sound of The Underground was the debut single from the group and an innovative pop track of its time, even managing to make Christmas number one.
15:42
Good Morning Britain presenter describes ‘tragic loss’
Alex Beresford, GMB presenter and weatherman, said he met Sarah Harding on a number of occasions and had also interviewed her once.
“On all occasions she was so lovely,” he said, sharing a beaming photo of the pair. “A tragic loss to breast cancer. RIP xxx.”
15:38
Katie Price ‘devastated’ by death of friend
TV personality and model Katie Price has shared a picture of herself and Sarah Harding on the panel of Loose Women, saying she was “devastated” to hear of her friend’s death.
“You were always such a genuine and honest person, I will remember the all laughs we used to have back in the day…I always valued Sarah’s friendship and my thoughts go out to her family and friends,” she wrote.
15:34
How Sarah Harding rose to fame
The fresh-faced star first appeared on our screens in 2002, when she competed on singing competition Popstars: The Rivals alongside Cheryl, Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh.
Forming Girls Aloud, the group rocketed to Christmas number one with their breakout single Sound of The Underground – one of the most recognisable pop tracks of the 2000s.
A string of 20 consecutive top 10 UK singles followed, including four number ones.
Four Brit Award nominations were also bagged by the group, with one win for The Promise.
In addition to her music success, Harding also made it as a model and actor.
She was credited with roles in the St Trinian’s films and BBC drama Freefall, opposite Dominic Cooper, and also had a stint on the cobbles of Coronation Street.
In 2016, she made her stage debut in Ghost – The Musical, and was crowned the winner of Celebrity Big Brother the following year.
15:25
Cancer Research reacts to the news
Charity Cancer Research UK has tweeted it was “sorry to hear” of Sarah Harding’s death.
The Girls Aloud star passed away following her diagnosis of advanced breast cancer, which she revealed publicly last year.
15:21
Reality star shares photos with Sarah and sends ‘so much love’ to her mum
Calum Best has written an emotional post on Twitter paying tribute to friend Sarah Harding, saying they had “some crazy fun times and adventures”.
Sharing photographs of the pair together, he added: “U will be so very missed. Sending so much love to your mom.”
15:18
Popstars: The Rivals judge recalls sweet moment with Sarah
Pete Waterman, a judge on the show that made Girls Aloud, has told Sky News it was difficult to get his head around the news of Sarah Harding’s death.
Saying she was “just so young really”, he described her as being “full of life” and an “exceptionally talented person”.
“I remember going to her house in Manchester to tell her that she was picked to go into the group,” he said.
“I mean, she ran upstairs and was jumping on the bed with joy… She was typical of what it was all about, excitement, you know, just real enthusiasm.”
15:11
‘A star from the get go’
Another alumnus of Popstars: The Rivals, TV presenter Davina McCall has also paid tribute to Sarah Harding.
“So so sad to hear about Sarah … a star from the get go, hugely fun and outgoing yet also somehow fragile,” she wrote on Twitter.
15:05
Geri Halliwell says star will be ‘remembered for the light and joy you brought to the world’
The Spice Girl was a judge on ITV’s Popstars: The Rivals, the TV show that launched Girls Aloud’s careers.
15:03
Sarah Harding revealed she had advanced breast cancer last year
Famously private, it would have been a big decision for Harding to go public about her diagnosis.
Writing in August last year, she wrote on Twitter and Instagram: “There’s no easy way to say this and actually it doesn’t even feel real writing this, but here goes.
“Earlier this year I was diagnosed with breast cancer and a couple of weeks ago I received the devastating news that the cancer has advanced to other parts of my body.”
Posting a selfie in a hospital bed wearing a gown, she said she believed it was the “right time to share what’s been going on” and she had been “fighting as hard as I possibly can”.
14:52
Key points:
- Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding dies at the age of 39
- She revealed last August she had advanced breast cancer and said she would likely not see another Christmas
- Her mother announced her death on Instagram, describing her as a ‘bright shining star’
- Celebrities and fans have been paying tribute to the star, who was ‘always the driving energy in the room’
- Harding rose to fame with Girls Aloud in 2002 after appearing in ITV’s Popstars: The Rivals
- She also had parts in a number of television series and films
- Live reporting by Emily Mee and Chris Robertson
14:47
She was ‘always the driving energy in the room’
Presenter Vernon Kay was among the first to pay tribute to Sarah Harding, and recalled how Girls Aloud had often appeared on T4 (which he presented at the time).
“Sarah was always the driving energy in the room… RIP,” he said.
14:44
Former Spandeau Ballet member describes Sarah’s death as ‘so sad’
Martin Kemp shared a photograph of a Girls Aloud performance, writing: “So sad, my heart goes out to all your friends and family and all your fans.”
14:41
Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding has died at the age of 39
The sad news was announced by her mother, Marie Hardman, on Instagram.
“It’s with deep heartbreak that today I’m sharing the news that my beautiful daughter Sarah has sadly passed away,” she wrote.
“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.”
Mrs Hardman said her daughter would not have wanted to be remembered for her fight against cancer, and instead she should be remembered as a “bright shining star”.
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