Sarah Harding’s mum reveals singer’s last days and poignant final wish as she dies aged 39
SARAH Harding’s mum has revealed the singer’s poignant final wish as she died two months before her 40th birthday.
The pop star revealed in August last year that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Ever since she has tirelessly worked as a cancer campaigner, hoping to spare others from the disease that claimed her life yesterday.
But the 39-year-old‘s mum insists she wouldn’t want to be remembered for the cruel disease.
Marie wrote: “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.”
Brave Sarah had undergone gruelling treatment to beat the cancer, including a mastectomy and intensive chemotherapy since first being diagnosed in summer 2020.
She had put off seeing a doctor because of the pandemic and wanted to urge others not to do the same so wrote a book, called Hear Me Out.
But in March this year she revealed the devastating news that the cancer had spread to her spine and she knew she was dying.
Sarah said: “Writing about my cancer, I found myself thinking, ‘Do I want everyone to know this?
“I kept thinking that if there was a chance just one person who read my story decided to get checked and was treated in time, then it was worth it.
“As scary as it was to go public about my diagnosis, it was the right thing to do, and the amount of support I’ve received is incredible.
“I’ve been inundated with lovely messages from my fans. I’m grateful beyond words for that.”
In her final months, Sarah reconnected with her Girls Aloud bandmates Cheryl Tweedy, Nadine Coyle, Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts.
The former party girl – nicknamed “Hardcore Harding” spent the night crying and drinking with Nadine after being forced to face her own mortality.
Harding opened up about drowning her sorrows with her pal in her new tell-all autobiography.
They sobbed, drank wine and ate cheese, as her friend told her how much she loved her.
“Throughout the evening, we all had our moments of hysterical laugher followed by tears,” wrote Sarah.
“At one point, Nadine told me in no uncertain terms how much she cared about me: ‘You don’t understand, Sarah. I love you!'”
“OK, so it wasn’t like the nights of wild partying I did back in the day, but it was still very special.”
Released prior to her passing, Heart Me Out is a raw and open look into Sarah’s life, including her battle with breast cancer over the last year.
The book also includes uplifting stories of her life, with the star admitting that she was a mess after being diagnosed.
Revealing her tragic death yesterday, Sarah’s mum said: “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.”
