Former members of Girls Aloud have paid emotional tributes to former bandmate Sarah Harding on what would have been the singer’s 40th birthday.
Harding died on September 5 aged 39 after revealing last August that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, which had spread to other parts of her body.
The former girl group, consisting of Cheryl, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh, Nadine Coyle and Harding, produced five studio albums during their time together, which included the hit tracks Sound of the Underground and The Promise.
The Fight For This Love singer posted a video on Instagram featuring multiple clips of the girl group and Harding at live concerts, award ceremonies and chat shows.
She captioned the video: “Memories may be all we’re left with, but they’re enough to last a lifetime #Sarahs40th.”
The video also featured snippets of interviews with Cheryl and Walsh about their friend and colleague.
“Seeing this blonde bombshell running around the audition like a madwoman, even in the boot camp when she went up to sing she was running up there and chatting, chatting, chatting,” says Walsh.
“(She) Always stood out as her own character, kind of the crazy one that was unique and in her own world,” adds Cheryl.
Roberts said she wished that the pair could have “run riot like we used to” to mark the big occasion.
“I know you’re somewhere making trouble live one,” she wrote in the caption of a photo featuring her and Harding, who is showing her middle finger.
“Happy Earth birthday Sarah. Love, miss and thinking about you all the time.
“I feel your energy like you’re still here.
“Wish we could have ran riot around town like we used to for your big 4.0 today!
“Cause a supernova up there electric girl”
Walsh also shared images of her and Harding laughing together and said he had spent the day reflecting on the memories she has of her former bandmate.
She wrote on Instagram: “Today is a very strange day. We have celebrated so many birthdays together over the years so this feels very surreal.
“I hoped with all my heart that we would be celebrating our 40th’s together too as we planned.
“You always brought the party and I have spent today reflecting and reliving all the amazing memories we made.”
Girls Aloud were formed on TV show Popstars: The Rivals in 2002.