SARAH HARDING
WE CELEBRATE THE SPIRITED STAR WITH THE DEFIANTLY SUNNY SOUL
Loved and remembered
At the height of her fame as a singer with the all-conquering band Girls Aloud, and in the years following, hello! was privileged to interview Sarah Harding exclusively on many occasions.
At a shoot nine years ago this week on the Italian coast, she showed her gentle side as she handfed a young deer that strolled up to her. She said delightedly as the timid creature nuzzled her hand: “I feel like Snow White.”
On the same shoot, talking about the break- up of a relationship, Sarah told us: “I’m not going to waste my energy feeling angry or resentful about things that have happened, I’m going to come out shining, brighter than ever.”
Indeed, up until her tragic death aged just 39, the way in which she battled her breast cancer so bravely and with so much dignity has reinforced this telling comment.
SHINING STAR
There was a similar sentiment from her mother Marie. Announcing her daughter’s death, she asked fans not to remember Sarah for “her fight again this terrible disease”, but as “a bright shining star”.
Marie wrote under a black-andwhite image of her smiling girl: “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 she fought so strongly from her diagnosis until her last day.”
After the sad announcement the tributes flowed in, led by Sarah’s Girls Aloud bandmates.
Kimberley Walsh wrote: “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. My heart is broken.”
Cheryl Tweedy also posted on Instagram: “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,” she wrote. “As I try to navigate my way through these painfully strange and horribly unfamiliar waves of disbelief & finality I am
‘I’m going to come out shining brighter than ever’
experiencing, I wanted to extend my condolences to all of our GA fans. 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 love you Sarah… farewell.”
Nicola Roberts added: “I’m absolutely devastated and I can’t accept that this day has come. My heart is aching and everything we went through together has raced round my mind… Especially since her diagnosis, as hard as the year has been, our new memories are strong in my heart. A part of me or us isn’t here anymore and it’s unthinkable and painful and utterly cruel. 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.”
And Nadine Coyle wrote: “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!!”
Other showbusiness names told of their sadness, with former Big Brother presenter Davina McCall – Sarah won the celebrity edition of the show in 2017 – posting: “So so sad to hear about Sarah… a star from the get go, hugely fun and outgoing yet also somehow fragile… love to her family and friends.”
Sarah announced she had