The Girls Aloud stars were rocked by Sarah Harding’s death (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for The Londoner)
Nicola Roberts has shed light on the private sorrow of her Girls Aloud bandmate and pal . Earlier this year, the pair regrouped with the other members of the band, Nadine Coyle and Kimberley Walsh to commemorate two decades of chart-topping success.
However, their reunion tour was tinged with grief as they Harding.The singer tragically passed away at 39, after revealing that her initial breast cancer diagnosis had spread throughout her body.
Despite her prognosis,Sarah remained resilient, keeping fans updated on her health. Initially responding well to treatment, she succumbed to the disease on September 5, 2021, surrounded by loved ones.
During Sarah’s battle, Cheryl, Nicola, Kimberley, and Nadine set aside their differences to support their friend. Sarah expressed her wish for the band, who shot to fame in 2002 on Popstars: The Rivals, to perform again in her memory and to promote The Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal.
Now, Nicola, 39, has revealed how Cheryl’s pain resonated as she wrote a heartfelt tribute to Sarah, which was shared before their performance of the 2012 hit, Something New.
It was Sarah’s wish that her bandmates kept her legacy going (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Per)
As the band prepared to deliver the iconic song, an audio recording from Nicola was played across the venues. The Runcorn-born singer-songwriter declared: “Tonight it is our duty and honour to take you on a magical journey down memory lane.
“Where you can experience joy, fun, unity, freedom, nostalgia and most importantly, the celebration of our Sarah. A woman so very beautiful, talented, outrageous and courageous.”
“Do not hold back, we want to see your mouths singing, your arms waving, your hips shaking and your hearts open. Leave all your worries, troubles and differences at the door because tonight, you are with us.”
The poignant tribute moved the audience to tears as they celebrated the late star. Following the event, fans flocked to X, previously known as Twitter, sharing their emotional reactions, confessing to feeling “butterflies, chills and heart palpitations.”
In response to the outpouring, Nicola revealed: “Chez wrote it for us.”
Cheryl reunited with her bandmates (Image: Getty Images)
with her memorable line “Take a walk on the wild side of life,” from Something New echoing across the venues.
As the concert concluded, a large screen displayed during The Promise allowed Sarah’s voice to resonate once more as she sang: “So here I am, a walking primrose, wondering when I’m gonna see you again,” to the cheers of fans and band members alike.
A poignant image of Sarah appeared behind the remaining members as they exited the stage, accompanied by the words: “In loving memory of Sarah Nicole Harding. 17.11.81 05.09.2021.”
But Cheryl was set to deal with yet anoher tragedy. Cheryl’s ex tragic death in in Argentina earlier this year after falling from a hotel balcony, shocked the world.
Before his untimely passing, and the love he had for their young son, Bear.
Cheryl also said goodbye to Liam Payne, the father of her son Bear (Image: Getty)
Despite their split, the mum-of-one, 41, had nothing but praise for the former One Direction star’s role as a father, calling him a “great dad” and admitting he was the softer parent.
“Liam is a great dad. He’s much softer than me,” she shared, painting a picture of a devoted father who doted on Bear during an interview with The Telegraph.
Cheryl and Liam’s relationship, which began with a fair share of public scrutiny due to their 10-year age gap, ended a year after Bear was born.
Following Cheryl’s divorce from ex-husband Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini, the singers became a couple in 2016. In the following year, the duo welcomed their first child, Bear, who is now seven.
But less than a year later, Liam and Cheryl announced they had parted ways, yet remained amicable and only spoke positively about each other for the sake of their son.