Girls Aloud share heartwarming tribute to late bandmate Sarah Harding for the star’s birthday ahead of secret reunion
GIRLS Aloud today shared a heartwarming tribute to their late bandmate Sarah Harding.
It comes just after The Sun revealed the noughties girl group are planning a secret reunion.
Sarah sadly died of breast cancer in 2021 aged just 39.
She found fame in when she joined Girls Aloud in 2002, after being picked to join the group in the talent show Pop Stars: The Rivals.
Yesterday would’ve been Sarah’s 42nd birthday, and her former bandmates – Cheryl, Nadine Coyle, Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts – shared a special tribute.
Posting a beautiful picture of Sarah on the Girls Aloud Instagram page, they wrote: “Sending love to all Sarah’s fans, friends and family on her birthday today x”
Her fans rushed to share their own tributes, with one writing: “I hope she has a lovely party in heaven.”
While another said: “I miss her so much.”
This one shared: “Missed dearly but for ever in our Hearts.”
Sarah first revealed she had breast cancer in August 2020, which she said had spread, and she sadly died just over a year later.
Her memoir, Hear Me Out, was published in 2021, and it documents her life, career and terminal diagnosis.
Meanwhile earlier this month, The Sun revealed how Girls Aloud recently secretly reunited at a North London studio to shoot the music video for their first single in 11 years – which they will dedicate to Sarah.
The reunion marks a remarkable comeback for the chart-topping group, dogged by rumours of feuds before they split in 2013.
A music source said: “This has been one of the best-kept secrets in pop, but it’s actually happening now.
“The girls really came back together as friends to rally around when Sarah died, and it repaired some of the old rifts and put things into perspective. Suddenly the reunion which had seemed totally impossible for so long just felt a totally natural thing to do — in Sarah’s honour.”
The four bandmates arrived in separate cars at a North London studio, wearing caps and shades to avoid being recognised.
The video for their new single — the band’s first in 11 years — sees the girls playing superhero characters complete with Wonder Woman-style costumes and capes.
The band — formed in 2002 on ITV talent show Pop Stars: The Rivals — are reported to be thrilled to be back working together.
And they are said to be planning to make more music — before taking it out on the road.
The insider added: “They’ve got a single and a video in the can, plans for a full record of new music, and for the fans the most exciting thing will be a massive reunion tour in 2024.
“It’s going to be huge — and they’re all very excited to be back working together, even if there is a bittersweet element to it.
“Of course, whatever they do, there will always be nods to Sarah’s contribution to the group, too.”
Millions of viewers saw the five members of Girls Aloud chosen as finalists by ITV Pop Stars judges Pete Waterman, Louis Walsh and Spice Girl Geri Halliwell.
They went on to beat boyband counterparts One True Voice — then landed the coveted Christmas No 1 slot with their debut single, Sound of the Underground.