Girls Aloud Singer Sarah Harding Has Passed Away, Aged 39
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Singer Sarah Harding has passed away at the age of 39, her mother Marie has confirmed on social media.
The former Girls Aloud star announced last year that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and that it had advanced to other areas of her body.
Marie shared a statement on her daughter's Instagram page, saying she was a 'bright shining star'.
She wrote: "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 so 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. It meant the world to Sarah and it gave her great strength and comfort to know she was loved.
"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."
Harding rose to fame in late 2002 when she appeared on Popstars: The Rivals, later winning a place in newly-formed girl band Girls Aloud.
She later moved into acting, featuring in the likes of St Trinian's, Bad Day and Coronation Street, also winning Celebrity Big Brother in 2017.
In August last year, Harding took to social media to say she had advanced stage breast cancer, which had spread to other parts of her body.
She said she was undergoing weekly chemotherapy sessions and that she had not given up hope of a recovery.
Harding wrote said: "There's no easy way to say this and actually it doesn't even feel real writing this, but here goes. Earlier this year I was diagnosed with breast cancer and a couple of weeks ago I received the devastating news that the cancer has advanced to other parts of my body."
She added that she was undergoing weekly chemotherapy sessions and was 'fighting as hard' as she could.
In March this year, she said she had been told by doctors that last Christmas may have been be her final festive season, writing in her book Hear Me Out: "In December my doctor told me that the upcoming Christmas would probably be my last."
The Manchester-born musician said that she was 'trying to live and enjoy every second' of her life, 'however long it might be', adding: "I am having a glass of wine or two during all this, because it helps me relax.
"I'm at a stage now where I don't know how many months I have left.
"Who knows, maybe I'll surprise everyone, but that's how I'm looking at things."
