Kimberley Walsh is the latest Girls Aloud star to pay tribute to her late bandmate Sarah Harding following her untimely death from breast cancer at the age of 39.
The singer, who also modelled and had a starring role in the St Trinian's film series, passed away on Sunday, her family announced, just 13 months after confirming her cancer diagnosis.
On Monday morning, Kimberley, 39, took to Instagram to share a trio of snaps with her former bandmate, in a post that came hours after Nicola Roberts and Nadine Coyle, paid tribute on social media. Cheryl, the fifth member of the group, is yet to publicly pay tribute to the star.
Kimberley, Nicola, 35, Nadine, 36, and Cheryl, 38, were in the chart-topping band with Sarah from 2002-2013.
Touching: Kimberley Walsh is the latest Girls Aloud star to pay tribute to her late bandmate Sarah Harding following her untimely death from breast cancer at the age of 39
![Heartbreaking: The singer, who also modelled and had a starring role in the St Trinian's film series, passed away on Sunday, her family announced, just 13-months after confirming her cancer diagnosis [pictured in 2010]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/05/15/47533847-9959953-image-m-11_1630853728421.jpg)
Heartbreaking: The singer, who also modelled and had a starring role in the St Trinian's film series, passed away on Sunday, her family announced, just 13-months after confirming her cancer diagnosis [pictured in 2010]
On Monday morning, Kimberley posted: '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. Sending love and strength to everyone who is grieving today. My heart is broken'.
Nicola said 'my heart is aching' as she posted photos of the pair on their first video shoot for Sound of the Underground back in 2002 - shortly after they were formed on Popstars: The Rivals.
She wrote: 'I’m absolutely devastated and I can’t accept that this day has come. My heart is aching and all day everything we went through together has raced round my mind.
Iconic band: Girls Aloud stars Nicola Roberts (second left) and Nadine Coyle (end right) paid tribute on social media (pictured 2012 with the band including Cheryl, Sarah and Kimberley Walsh)
'Especially this last 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. She would have loved your messages today.
'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.'
Memories: Nicola said 'my heart is aching' as she posted photos of the pair on their first video shoot for Sound of the Underground back in 2002 - shortly after they were formed on Popstars: The Rivals
A sign: Nicola said she believed she had received a sign from Sarah before her death was announced
Brink of sttardom: The pair were seen posing together as they filmed their debut music video in the early noughties
Nadine 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!! I know so many of you will be feeling this way. For now I'm sending so much love to you!!!'
Geri Horner of the Spice Girls paid tribute to Sarah, writing on Twitter: 'Rest in peace, Sarah Harding. You'll be remembered for the light and joy you brought to the world' .
Former Big Brother host Davina McCall wrote in a tribute to Sarah: '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.'
RIP: Nadine Coyle became the first member of the band to pay tribute on social media as she shared a photo of Sarah along with a heartfelt message
Bandmates: Sarah and Nadine are pictured in 2004 in Dublin, Ireland
Fearne Cotton was among those paying tribute on the Instagram post from Sarah's mother announcing her passing.
She wrote: 'Oh my gosh I'm so sorry to hear this. I'm sending your family so much love and strength. She was always kind and so much fun to be around. I'm very sorry for your loss. Prayers and love to you.'
Alesha Dixon has described Sarah as a 'shining star' following her death. The singer and talent show judge said on Twitter: 'A sad day! Such a shining star! Rest in peace beautiful Sarah.'
Fellow TV star Denise Van Outen commented on the Instagram post from Sarah Harding's mother, Marie, announcing her death.
Katie Price paid tribute to Sarah on Instagram, sharing a photo of them appearing together on a panel show. She wrote: 'I'm devastated to hear my friend, @sarahnicoleharding has passed...
'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.'
Good Morning Britain presenter and weatherman Alex Beresford recalled interviewing Sarah in a tribute posted on Twitter. Sharing a photo of them together, he said: 'Such sad news to hear the passing of Sarah Harding. Had the pleasure of meeting her a few times and sat down to interview her once. On all occasions she was so lovely. A tragic loss to breast cancer.'
Leading the tributes: The likes of Spice Girl Geri Horner and Big Brother host Davina McCall shared their thoughts of the star
Devastated: The likes of Fearne Cotton, Alan Carr, Piers Morgan, Ortise Williams, and Calum Best paid tribute too
Reminiscing: Louis Walsh, who was a judge on ITV's Popstars: The Rivals in 2002 when Girls Aloud was formed, said he will remember Harding with 'great fondness'
She wrote: 'This is so heartbreaking. Rest in peace beautiful Sarah. Thinking of you all. Family and friends'.
Elsewhere model and presenter Jodie Kidd wrote: 'Heart aches, fly high and shine bright bubba girl x I am so so sorry'.
Former Spandau Ballet member Martin Kemp tweeted his condolences to Sarah's family and friends. 'Sarah Harding so sad, my heart goes out to all your friends and family and all your fans,' he tweeted. 'Rest in peace!'
TV presenter Vernon Kay described Harding as 'the driving energy in the room' on social media. 'Very sad news,' he tweeted. 'From the moment Pop Idol finished GA were regularly on T4 and Radio1. Sarah was always the driving energy in the room... RIP.'
Sabrina Washington from girl group Mis-Teeq also shared a tribute to Sarah on Twitter. She penned: 'Our paths had crossed many a time over the years and everytime was filled with such warmth and energy. Nobody lit up a room like you did. You'll never be forgotten - RIP Sarah Harding.'
Boyband Blue shared a tribute to Girls Aloud star Sarah on Twitter. 'We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Sarah Harding. Her light shone bright but was gone all too soon. Our thoughts are with her family in this difficult time,' they wrote.
Reality TV star Calum Best has spoken of the 'crazy fun times and adventures' he had with Sarah. He said on Twitter: 'Jesus this one hits home, so damn sad, so young. I hope u rest In peace Sarah we had some crazy fun times and adventures. U will be so very missed. Sending so much love to ur mom.'
His post was accompanied by three pictures of him with the former Girls Aloud member.
A devastated JLS star Oritse Williams tweeted: 'Heartbreaking to hear that Sarah Hardingfrom Girls Aloud has just passed away after a long battle with cancer. The times we met she was always so bubbly, such a big beautiful personality. My sincerest sympathies and heart goes out to Sarah's friends, family & band members.'
Meanwhile Steps star Ian 'H' Watkins wrote on the Instagram post: 'Fly high beautiful Sarah xx I will miss you xx'.
Former Strictly Come Dancing professional James Jordan tweeted 'life is so bloody cruel sometimes' after Harding's death was announced.
Kym Marsh, whose band Hear'Say was created on ITV show Popstars, also paid tribute to Sarah Harding. She wrote on Twitter: 'I'm so very sorry to hear of the passing of Sarah Harding. What a beautiful girl and person she really was.
'I don't claim to have known her very well but what I did know was how fun and kind she really was. My thoughts are with her family and friends at this time. Sleep tight.'
TV personality Lizzie Cundy said she is 'heartbroken' following the death of Sarah Harding. In a post on Twitter, accompanied by a picture of them together, she said: 'A beautiful girl inside and out ... Heartbroken. Thank you for the fun times dear Sarah. Rest in peace my friend.'
A tweet from the official account of Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly said: 'Such sad news. RIP Sarah xx'.
Model and actress Marissa Jade tweeted that she was 'glad' Sarah Harding was 'in a better place'. Harding joined Jade in the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2017 - which the Girls Aloud member went on to win. She penned: 'Just heard the news. Glad you are in a better place. Feels like yesterday we were in the CBB house and I was giving you a therapy session on how to stay calm, strong & don't leave the house! No more pain beautiful. Rip'
Singer-songwriter MNEK tweeted following the death of Sarah: 'mannnn, my heart goes out to Sarah Harding's family, what a shame.'
Louis Walsh, who was a judge on ITV's Popstars: The Rivals in 2002 when Girls Aloud was formed, said he will remember Harding with 'great fondness'.
In a statement, he said: 'It's just sad she has gone too young. She was always fun and the life and soul of the party.
'Anytime she came to Dublin in the early days we went out to the pod nightclub and would be the last to leave.
'It's just so unfair, I was hoping she was getting better. She was fun and loved music, dancing and life. I will remember her with great fondness.'
The day after the news was announced, her CBB co-star, Gogglebox's Sandi Bogle spoke about her late friend on Good Morning Britain, saying: 'Yeah as you said it is devastating news to hear what happened to Sarah. She was amazing, beautiful, talented kindhearted...
'I mean, we shared so many times together, we cried on each other's shoulder we shared so many intimate moments people don't realise how kind hearted she was, it was devastating news.'
On cancer diagnosis she said: 'Yes she shared a lot... [she was] fragile but a strong, strong woman and we could share the same pain because it is going through my family as well, my mother passed away from cancer, my sister has cancer, we had a connection which we were able to talk about and especially in the __ it's hard but behind that face, you don't realise how painful what is going on between the scenes, behind the house'.
Brave: Lady Victoria Hervey also detailed her friendship with the star in a tribute on Monday morning
An honour: Sarah and Lady Victoria are pictured at a Mulberry Fashion Party in London on 20 Sep 2009
On her relationship with Sarah in CBB, she went on: 'Oh my god, as my dancing partner, first one on the floor and last one off the floor, last one standing we used to stay to each other...
'She was amazing I love her so much people don't realise how
