James Martin pays tribute to his ‘soulmate’ Sarah Harding on the anniversary of her death

JAMES Martin has paid an emotional tribute to late Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding, describing her as his “soulmate”.

The TV chef, 50, made his touching comments about the singer to mark the first anniversary of her tragic death.

James had grown close to Sarah over the years and was devastated when she passed away from breast cancer last year.

Sharing a picture of her on Instagram, James wrote: “Tonight I raised a glass to a beautiful person a friend a star and a inspiration …1 year ago I lost a sole mate … big Lv J [sic].”

James has since been inundated with messages of support following his heartbreaking tribute.

One fan kindly wrote: “By talking about her and remembering her, your friend will always be there with you.”

Another told him: “Such a beautiful lady taken far too soon.”

A third penned: “I can’t believe it’s been a year already. Hugs James.”

Sarah was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in August 2020 and underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy in a bid to prolong her life.

Tragically, she died in September 2021 aged just 39.

Sarah’s Girls Aloud bandmate Kimberley Walsh has also paid tribute to her close friend as she marked the sad anniversary.

“Sarah passed away a year ago. I can still hardly believe it to be honest but it feels more real than ever today,” she also wrote on Instagram.

“Thinking of her always and of everyone who loved and miss her too 💔.”

In July, Girls Aloud reunited for the first time in nine years as they completed Cancer Research UK’s Race For Life in honour of Sarah.

The group – also comprising of Cheryl Cole, Nadine Coyle and Nicola Roberts – are also going to reunite on stage for a one-off gig in memory of their bandmate.

They had been planning a reunion tour to celebrate their 20th anniversary, but it was scrapped after Sarah’s death.

Girls Aloud had formed on TV show Popstars: The Rivals in 2002.

Following her diagnosis, Sarah bravely released a book called Hear Me Out, which documented her life as a pop star and chronicled her fight with cancer.

In the book, she wrote about how she had become close again with Kimberley, Cheryl, Nadine and Nicola following her diagnosis.

Tragically, Sarah had thought chemotherapy was working until a secondary tumour destroyed her hopes.