‘Electric girl, you made us’: Girls Aloud lead the tributes to Sarah Harding

Yesterday it was sadly announced Sarah Harding has died from breast cancer at age 39 and since the announcement the tributes to her have been pouring in. Sarah’s mother released a statement on Instagram on Sunday morning saying Sarah had passed away and she thanked everyone for their support over the last few months since Sarah’s breast cancer diagnosis was shared.

She 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”.

The post has now reached over 600,000 likes with many commenting sharing their condolences including Alan Carr, Fearne Cotton and Alesha Dixon.

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A post shared by Nadine Coyle (@nadinecoyle)

Sarah’s Girls Aloud band members Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh and Cheryl Cole have taken to Instagram to share their memories of Sarah.

Nadine shared a picture of Sarah and said she was devastated to hear the news. She said: “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!!! ❤️❤️”.

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A post shared by Nicola Maria Roberts (@lilcola)

Nicola also shared a tribute to Sarah which included a number of throwback pictures to their early days in Girls Aloud together. Nicola described Sarah as “electric” and said she would have loved everyone’s messages today.

She wrote: “I’m absolutely devastated and I can’t accept that this day has come. 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 to 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 ♥️ Electric girl, you made us. 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 K I M B E R L E Y W A L S H (@kimberleywalshofficial)

Kimberley Walsh shared her tribute to Sarah this morning, saying she was heart broken and shared a number of photos together.

She said: “Beautiful Sarah this hurts so bad. To wake up and know that you are really gone is too much to bear. Hearing your infectious chuckle was one of my favourite things in the world. Your fire burned so bright and you loved, lived and laughed so hard. Sending love and strength to everyone who is grieving today. My heart is broken 💔.”

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A post shared by Cheryl (@cherylofficial)

At lunchtime today Cheryl shared her condolences for Sarah and the Girls Aloud fans, calling them their extended family.

Cheryl wrote: “Although we knew this day would arrive I am somehow still feeling at a loss for words that our stunning, unique, crazy, quirky, kind and soft hearted girl has departed. As I try to navigate my way through these painfully strange and horribly unfamiliar waves of disbelief & finality I am experiencing, I wanted to extend my condolences to all of our GA fans.

“We were like an extended family for so long and we know so many of you by name. I wanted to make sure you knew just how much your love and continued support meant to Sarah through her most vulnerable times. She was so grateful and you really lifted her spirits when she needed you most 🙏🏼 I also realize so many will be deeply affected by the circumstances of Sarah’s passing… I am sending you all so much love 💔 I love you Sarah… farewell 🕊Sarah Nicole Harding forever in our hearts 💖💞🙏🏼.”

On Twitter and Instagram many celebrities have continued to share tributes to Sarah Harding including Peter Andre, Jedward and Davina McCall. See their tributes here:

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A post shared by Katie Price (@katieprice)

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