Sarah Harding, Girls Aloud singer, dies aged 39 after ongoing illness

Sarah Harding, Girls Aloud singer, has died aged 39 after years of treatment for breast cancer. Family, friends and fans have shared their devastation at the sad news.

The devastating loss comes only months after Sarah urged fans to get health checks following terminal breast cancer prognosis.

The singer, best known as a part of hit British pop group Girls Aloud, was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in August 2020. Subsequently, she underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy in a bid to prolong her life.

Before she passed, Sarah was open and outspoken about her diagnosis, treatment, and life experience. She released a book called Hear Me Out, which told her story—from pop star to personal, including her illness.

Sarah's mum Marie used her daughter's Instagram account to announce the sad news. Alongside a beautiful photo of the star, a statement read, "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.- Marie x."

Fans paid tribute to the beloved star on the news of her passing. One Twitter user said, "To paraphrase Girls Aloud in a slightly clumsy way, "Everything she did, better than anything ordinary." RIP Sarah Harding, an absolutely vital part of an iconic girlband, and by all accounts a lovely and incredibly brave person."

Another said, "RIP Sarah Harding. Heartbreaking. Girls Aloud were a force of nature, and her legacy as a key part of that powerhouse is assured. The best pop act of a generation by miles. And 39 isn't fair. None of it is. Really rough couple of weeks - tell your closests that you love them."