Girls Aloud singer, Sarah Harding has died following a battle with breast cancer, aged 39.

Sarah's mum, Marie Hardman, confirmed the heartbreaking news on Sarah's Instagram page.

She shared a picture of Sarah and wrote: "A message from Sarah's mum.

"It’s with deep heartbreak that today I’m sharing the news that my beautiful daughter Sarah has sadly passed away. Many of you will know of Sarah’s battle with cancer and that she fought so strongly from her diagnosis until her last day. She slipped away peacefully this morning. I’d like to thank everyone for their kind support over the past year.

"It meant the world to Sarah and it gave her great strength and comfort to know she was loved. I know she won’t want to be remembered for her fight against this terrible disease – she was a bright shining star and I hope that’s how she can be remembered instead."

Sarah who rose to fame in 2002, as one-fifth of Girls Aloud, was diagnosed with cancer in early 2020.

Sarah confirmed the news of her diagnosis via a rare social media post in August 2020.

Sharing a snap of herself in hospital, the star said: "There's no easy way to say this and actually it doesn't even feel real writing this, but here goes.

"Earlier this year I was diagnosed with breast cancer and a couple of weeks ago I received the devastating news that the cancer has advanced to other parts of my body.

"I'm currently undergoing weekly chemotherapy sessions and I am fighting as hard as I possibly can."

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She went on to add: "My amazing mum, family and close friends are helping me through this, and I want to say a thank you to the wonderful NHS doctors and nurses who have been and continue to be heroes.

"I am doing my very best to keep positive and will keep you updated here with how I'm getting on. In the meantime, I hope you'll all understand and respect my request for privacy during this difficult time."

The singer revealed in her debut autobiography, Hear Me Out, in March 2020, that doctors had told her that she may not live to see another Christmas after the disease had spread throughout her body.

Sarah wrote: "In December my doctor told me that the upcoming Christmas would probably be my last.

"I'm at a stage now where I don't know how many months I have left."