.png)
Nadine Coyle has paid tribute to her Girls Aloud co-star Sarah Harding following the sad news of her death this morning.
Sarah died aged 39 following a battle of advanced stage breast cancer, her mum confirmed on Sunday.
"I am absolutely devastated!!" wrote Nadine. "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!"
Advert
In August last year Sarah announced to her fans that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and explained the cancer has spread to other parts of her body in the following months.
She first found fame in 2002 when she became one fifth of Girls Aloud - alongside Cheryl Cole, Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh - after auditioning for Popstars: The Rivals.
The band split in 2009 but were reunited for a reunion in 2012. Following her singing career, Sarah acted in roles including Bad Day, Freefall, Run for Your Wife and St. Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold.
Sarah's mum Marie mum made the announcement on Instagram on Sunday.
Advert
“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. 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 kept fans up to date as she went through treatment. In March she released her memoir titled Hear Me Out, where she discussed her career as part of the chart topping girl band Girls Aloud, her breast cancer diagnosis and her family.
Advert
She was told by doctors that Christmas 2020 "was probably her last", but explained she found comfort in knowing she may die before her mother Marie, who is in her late 70s.
Sarah wrote: "Mum is in her late seventies now and she has become everything to me through this illness, especially since I've been staying with her.
"I know how hard this is on her too. I often worry about her, especially as she's gotten older. I can't bear the thought of anything happening to her.
Advert
"In a strange way it's comforting to know that I will probably leave this world before she does; at least then I won't have to go through the pain of losing her."
She added: "The truth is, I can't live without her now, she cares for me and helps me because, at times, I am too weak to help myself."
After receiving lots of support from her fans following the release of the memoir, Sarah said: “I’ve been inundated with lovely messages from my fans. I’m grateful beyond words for that.”
For advice, help or support, visit Breast Cancer Now.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: News, Celebrity, Music