Grief throws you when you least expect it

A year on from her death, Sarah Harding's former bandmates open up about dealing with their loss

- By Anna Matheson

The pop world lost one of its brightest stars in September 2021 when Sarah Harding passed away from breast cancer, aged 39. Although they’ve barely been seen together in public for the best part of a decade since Girls Aloud split in 2013, Sarah’s bandmates came together recently to honour the late star’s memory.

In July, Nadine Coyle, Cheryl Tweedy and Nicola Roberts joined fans for a special version of Race For Life - dubbed Race For Sarah - in London’s Hyde Park, while bandmate Kimberley Walsh joined in virtually to honour the late star.

‘Around this time last year when Sarah was really sick, we were all desperately trying to find ways to help her, to comfort her, to do whatever she wanted,’ Cheryl said. ‘You feel so helpless in times like that. And one of the only things she really wanted was a gala dinner, so while that is underway and we are doing that, we felt like we could be doing more and we have decided to do Race For Life For Sarah.’

The girls have since thanked fans for their support, with Cheryl posting, ‘You made it easier and much better. Sarah would be so happy!’