Sarah ‘finds comfort’ in renewed bond with Girls Aloud
Sarah Harding is supported by her former bandmates as she pens an autobiography amid her cancer battle and admits feeling “utterly lost” during the height of fame
It’s been six months since Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding shockingly revealed she’s battling advanced-stage breast cancer, which was diagnosed early last year but has progressed to other parts of her body. And last week, the courageous star, who is having chemotherapy, thanked her fans for helping her through her “bad days”.
Sarah, 39, revealed she’d enjoyed a “lovely but quiet Christmas” at home with her mum Marie and had used the time in between hospital visits to finish writing her tell-all autobiography – titled Hear Me Out – which she hopes will “show people the real me”.
Sarah went on to share its synopsis, which read, “I can’t rewrite history; all I can do is be honest and wear my heart on my sleeve. It’s really the only way I know. I want to show people the real me. Or perhaps remind them. Because, somewhere – amongst the nightclubs, the frocks and hairdos, the big chart hits, and the glamour of being a popstar – the other Sarah Harding got utterly lost. She’s the one who’s been forgotten. And all I want is for you to hear her out.”
In December, Sarah said the book – due for release on 18 March – had given her something “fun and positive to focus on” after moving back in with her mum as she undergoes treatment.
It’s clearly given her a chance to reflect on her years in the spotlight, too. After finding fame with Girls Aloud on Popstars: The Rivals back in 2002, Sarah – who was often pictured stumbling out of nightclubs – quickly became known as “Hardcore Harding” thanks to her wild nights out.
HEARTACHE
By 2011, she had checked into rehab for alcohol dependency and depression, admitting she used alcohol to “numb” the heartache of her failed relationship with DJ Tom Crane.
She said, “The day I left for rehab I was in such a mess. I’ve been told by those close to me that was when I hit my worst.”
In 2014 she appeared to be back on track, swapping her fast-paced London life for the countryside over fears she was “losing control”, before insisting she’d put her reputation as the “lairy” one in Girls Aloud behind her.
She said, “I was young and naive and played up to my lairy character. It overshadowed the real me. We would all play up to our characters.
“I do believe that ultimately doing that resulted in me getting this reputation. I’ve
grown up a lot since then. I’m not a bad person, I have a big heart, but I’m human and I make mistakes.”
But in 2017, Sarah hit the headlines again as a result of her clashes with reality star Jemma Lucy while appearing together on Celebrity Big Brother.
FROSTY DYNAMICS
Viewers also blasted the blonde – who was in a relationship at the time – for her romance with US reality star Chad Johnson. It was widely reported there was a divide in Girls Aloud – with Cheryl, Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts forming a close bond, while Sarah and Nadine Coyle were rumoured to have been sidelined.
Hinting at the alleged feud as she entered the CBB house, Sarah said, “I don’t like confrontation – I’ve been in a girl band, and I don’t like it.”
She later said of one unnamed bandmate, “I haven’t seen or heard from one of them forever. Don’t know where she’s gone.”
Just months later, Nadine – who Cheryl once blasted as “full of sh*t” after the band’s bitter split in 2013 – also confirmed the group’s frosty dynamics.
She said, “So yeah there was [a divide]. We’re all very, very different characters.”
But it appears the group have now drawn a line under their differences. Sources say Sarah told the girls about her diagnosis before publicly revealing it, and Kimberley has said they’ve been in regular touch since, adding, “I am completely devastated, it’s been really, really tough – but speaking to her a lot helps and keeping that contact. She knows we’re there for her every step of the way.”
She also revealed that the girls had been planning to meet up with their bandmate before Christmas but their reunion was scuppered due to the coronavirus restrictions.
Commenting on Sarah’s post last week, Kimberley wrote, “Proud of you and can’t wait to read it,” while Nicola simply posted three love heart emojis.
CATHARTIC
In December, Cheryl showed her support for Sarah’s book, posting, “Well this is going to be an interesting read... Love you.” Nadine added, “My lovely Sarah has a book coming out and I can’t wait to read what she got up to when I was getting up to it with her!”
Insiders say that writing the book is “cathartic” as it’s “Sarah’s way of putting the past [feud] behind them for good.”
And Closer psychotherapist Noel McDermott agrees that Sarah will be “finding comfort” from reconnecting with her former bandmates and that the touching reunion will help her heal emotionally.
Noel says, “When we’re faced with an existential event, it’s natural to reach out to people to let them know how important they are to us and that can be comforting. Those grievances you might have with somebody become ridiculous when the framing shifts from everyday life to something really serious.
“Any fallouts with people she was close to will pale into insignificance for her now and repairing the feud will help Sarah heal emotionally. Sarah will have been taught to write about her life story in rehab and recovery. It’s about putting things to bed and letting it go. It’s also about facing the past head on, warts and all.
“Her writing her book will also help others who may be going through something similar. When someone is faced with a serious illness, they’re often forced into a state of feeling disconnected and alone. It can be profoundly helpful for both Sarah and for whoever is reading her story. She’s taking something awful and transforming it into something with meaning.”
By Daisy McLure
❛ ANY FALLOUTS WITH PEOPLE SHE WAS CLOSE TO WILL PALE INTO INSIGNIFICANCE NOW ❜