Girls Aloud Nadine Coyle's heartbreaking admission over Sarah Harding loss ahead of anniversary
The singer spoke movingly about the loss of her friend and Girls Aloud bandmate ahead of the fifth anniversary of her death
Nadine Coyle has spoken about the loss of her friend and Girls Aloud bandmate Sarah Harding ahead of the fifth anniversary of her death.
It was in September 2021 that the Stockport-raised singer died, at the age of 39, from breast cancer. After her death, a fundraiser was set up in her name supporting crucial work in the fight against the disease.
Since its inception three years ago, the Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal has helped raise money for The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, alongside Cancer Research UK and researchers at a number of universities, including The University of Manchester, to develop a set of tools that will help spot signs earlier and stop the disease from cutting lives short.
Having initially disbanded in March 2013, Girls Aloud reunited for a 2024 concert tour, which took them across the UK. The Girls Aloud Show, which was the biggest UK arena tour of 2024, included multiple tributes to Sarah, notably when they sang the group's last hit single, The Promise.
Speaking about the reunion tour, Nadine shared how difficult it was navigating grief, saying Sarah "should be walking off with us". She was talking to Olivia Attwood on her podcast, Olivia’s House, as part of a fresh campaign between tombola and Breast Cancer Now, who have issued a nationwide call to action to check in with a friend and remind them to check their breasts.
In an interview with the Metro as the Olivia's House episode was released, Nadine also commented: "There are so many people I know personally who thought they were too young for it to affect them that have discovered something, got treated early, and are now fine. That’s all because of Sarah’s unfortunate situation. She’s helped so many people already."
The 41-year-old singer later added: "There’s an adjustment period after loss before you start trying to live life to the fullest for them. Even when she was really ill she didn’t want anyone being sad. She would be so pleased with what she’s left behind. She wouldn’t imagine in her wildest dreams that she would lead this huge legacy of saving lives."