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Celebrity

06th Sep 2021

“Unthinkable and painful”: Girls Aloud stars pay tribute to Sarah Harding

Sarah McKenna Barry

Sarah’s former band-mates have said that they are “absolutely devastated” by the loss.

Tributes have been pouring in for singer Sarah Harding, whose death was announced yesterday.

The Girls Aloud star had been sick with cancer. She was 39 years old.

Her mum Marie announced her death on Instagram, and many in the music industry have since shared touching tributes to the late singer.

Chief among them are Sarah’s former band-mates.

Taking to Instagram, Nicola Roberts said that she was “absolutely devastated”.

“I can’t accept that this day has come,” she wrote. “My heart is aching and all day everything we went through together has raced through my mind.

“Especially this 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.”

Nicola added that Sarah would have “loved” all the messages shared yesterday.

Nadine Coyle also said that she was “devastated” by the loss.

The Derry singer posted a photo of Sarah on her Instagram and wrote: “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 all.”

Others in the industry paid their respects to Sarah on social media.

Geri Horner tweeted: “Rest in peace, Sarah Harding. You’ll be remembered for the light and joy you brought to the world.”

On Instagram, Katie Price wrote: “You were always such a genuine and honest person, I will remember all the laughs we used to have back in the day…I always valued Sarah’s friendship and my thoughts go out to her family and friends.”

Davina McCall said: “So so sad to hear about Sarah … a star from the get go, hugely fun and outgoing yet also somehow fragile.”

Pop star Alesha Dixon tweeted: “A sad day! Such a shining star! Rest in peace beautiful Sarah.”

Reality TV star Calum Best, who was in relationship with Sarah in the mid 2000s, said that her passing “hits home”. Sharing a number of photos of the two together, he remembered their “crazy fun times and adventures”.