Nadine Coyle and Nicola Roberts lead tributes to Girls Aloud bandmate Sarah Harding

Girls Aloud’s Nadine Coyle and Nicola Roberts have shared emotional tributes to their bandmate Sarah Harding, who died yesterday (September 5).

Coyle said she was “absolutely devastated” in an Instagram post that included a picture of Harding. “I can’t think of words that could possibly express how I feel about this girl & what she means to me!!” she wrote.

“I know so many of you will be feeling this way. For now I’m sending so much love to you!!!” added the 36-year old.

 

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A post shared by Nadine Coyle (@nadinecoyle)

Roberts paid tribute to the late star, posting three photos of herself and Harding over the years. “I’m absolutely devastated and I can’t accept that this day has come,” she wrote.

“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 too 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," she added.

“Electric girl, you made us,” she said. “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.”

 

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A post shared by Nicola Maria Roberts (@lilcola)

Harding died after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020. The singer shared the news with her fans in August last year – by this time the disease had spread to other parts of her body.

The pop-star’s death was confirmed by her mother Marie on Harding’s Instagram page yesterday. “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,” she said.

 

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A post shared by Sarah Harding (@sarahnicoleharding)

Girls Aloud were formed in 2002 on the TV talent show Popstars: The Rivals and included Harding, Coyle, Roberts, Cheryl Tweedy and Kimberley Walsh. The group disbanded in 2013 and Harding released her debut solo EP Threads in 2015.

After the group broke up, Harding went on to have a number of acting stints including 4 episodes as Joni Preston in Coronation Street. The singer appeared on a number of TV game shows and reality shows including Celebrity Big Brother which she won in 2017.

Popstars: The Rivals judge Pete Waterman also paid tribute to the star and called her “a delightful young kid”. The producer recalled when he told her she was picked to join the group:

“She ran upstairs and was jumping on the bed with joy.

“There’s film of me in her bedroom [when she’s] jumping up and down. She was an excitable young kid. She was typical of what it was all about – excitement, just real enthusiasm,” he said.

Former Girls Aloud manager Louis Walsh also paid tribute to the pop star and said she was “the life and soul of the party.”

“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.”

Tributes have flooded in for the young singer including from her former partner Callum Best, Spice Girl Geri Horner, Katie Price, Popstars: The Rivals host Davina McCall and a host of other celebrities.