Former Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding dies at age of 39

The popstar was diagnosed with breast cancer just a year ago.

Former Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding has died of breast cancer at the age of just 39, her mum has confirmed on Instagram. In a post, her mother 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 - Marie x" https://www.instagram.com/p/CTcNfE0o3X5/ Earlier this year, Harding had said that Christmas 2020 had probably been her last as the cancer had spread to her spine. Since her diagnosis in the summer of 2020, she underwent chemotherapy and a mastectomy to combat the disease, and later revealed that her tumour had shrunk in an extract from her new book, Hear Me Out. Hear Me Out went on to become a bestseller this year, and when the singer released an unheard song in March, fans got it straight to number one on iTunes. Related links: Sarah Harding’s ‘tumours shrink’ after cancer treatment Sarah Harding says Christmas was ‘probably her last’ as cancer spreads to spine Sarah Harding gives new update to fans during cancer battle Harding had been part of the biggest girl groups in British music, alongside bandmates Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh, Nadine Coyle and Cheryl. Formed in 2002 as part of ITV talent show Popstars, Girls Aloud scored four number ones singles, two number one albums and 21 top ten hits. They eventually split up in 2013.