Cheryl has paid an emotional tribute to former Girls Alou bandmate Sarah Harding following her tragic death to 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, just 13 months after confirming her cancer diagnosis. Her death was later announced by her devastated family on social media.
Taking to Instagram on Monday afternoon, Cheryl - who enjoyed more than a decade of chart success with Sarah in their hugely popular girl group - shared an image of her former bandmate alongside a caption in which she credited Sarah's fans for their unwavering support.
Moving: Cheryl has paid an emotional tribute to former Girls Alou bandmate Sarah Harding following her tragic death to breast cancer at the age of 39
She wrote: '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.
'As I try to navigate my way through these painfully strange and horribly unfamiliar waves of disbelief & finality I am experiencing, I wanted to extend my condolences to all of our GA fans. We were like an extended family for so long and we know so many of you by name.
'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 also realize so many will be deeply affected by the circumstances of Sarah’s passing… I am sending you all so much love. I love you Sarah… farewell.'
Bandmate Kimberley Walsh had previously paid tribute to her late bandmate, sharing 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.
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.
Touching: She shared a trio of throwback snaps and a heartbreaking message
Iconic band: Kimberley, Nicola, 35, Nadine, 36, and Cheryl, 38, were in the chart-topping band with Sarah from 2002-2013 (the band pictured in 2012)
'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 was the first member of the band to pay tribute on social media as she shared a photo of Sarah along with a heartfelt message
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.
Bandmates: Sarah and Nadine are pictured in 2004 in Dublin, Ireland
![Star: The singer was one fifth of Girls Aloud, who were formed in the early noughties. She is pictured in 2003 with bandmates [Top L-R] Nicola Roberts, Nadine Coyle, [Bottom L-R] Kimberley Walsh and Cheryl](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/06/11/47531547-9959953-Star_The_singer_was_one_fifth_of_Girls_Aloud_who_were_formed_in_-a-31_1630923242057.jpg)
Star: The singer was one fifth of Girls Aloud, who were formed in the early noughties. She is pictured in 2003 with bandmates [Top L-R] Nicola Roberts, Nadine Coyle, [Bottom L-R] Kimberley Walsh and Cheryl
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
