Sarah Harding, famous
British pop singer and television personality, died of breast cancer on Sunday.
She was 39 years old. Sarah Harding had 21 UK Top 10 singles as a member of
Girls Aloud — a British-Irish pop group. Harding’s death was announced by her
mother, Marie, who 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 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. 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
added.

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Earlier this year,
in an extract from her memoir “Hear Me Out” published in the Times, Sarah
Harding wrote, “In December my doctor told me that the upcoming Christmas would
probably be my last”. She had said that she did not want an exact prognosis,
just “comfort” and to be “pain-free”.

Britain’s
television and music community has come together to mourn the death of Sarah
Harding. Geri Horner, former Spice Girl, tweeted: “Rest in peace, Sarah
Harding. You’ll be remembered for the light and joy you bring to the world.”

Born in Berkshire
in 1981, Sarah Harding quit school early to make a career in music. Having
participated in several reality TV music competitions, she finally formed an
all-girls band called Girls Aloud alongside Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts,
Cheryl Tweedy and Kimberley Walsh. The group gave UK 21 Top 10 hits in a decade-long
career.

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In August 2020,
Sarah Harding announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was
receiving chemotherapy. “My amazing mum, family and close friends are helping
me through this, and I want to say a thank you to the wonderful NHS doctors and
nurses who have been and continue to be heroes,” Harding had said at the time.