Sarah Harding ‘on verge of breakdown after returning to booze and pills’ after critics savaged her performances in Ghost The Musical
The ex-painkiller addict is feeling the strain after being sacked by her manager hours before an on-stage meltdown in Blackpool
TROUBLED Sarah Harding is on the verge of a breakdown after returning to booze and painkillers, friends claim.
The ex-Girls Aloud singer is said to be racked with insecurity after critics savaged her performances in Ghost The Musical.
Sarah, 34, who went into rehab for painkiller addiction in 2011, is also feeling the strain after being sacked by her manager hours before an on-stage meltdown on Monday.
A source close to the star, who is using powerful meds for an injury picked up in Channel 4’s The Jump in February, said: “Sarah’s on the brink — producers know it, everyone knows it.
“She’s back on the painkillers for her injury, but the worry is when she goes back to her hotel room and drinks alone.
“Ever since she took on the role in September her performances have been slammed and she’s not taking the criticism well.
“She’s racked with insecurity and has been turning to drink while on the road, without friends and family or a boyfriend there to support her.”
Sarah, playing Ghost’s female lead Molly, was replaced by understudy Kelly Hampson — who won rave reviews — during Monday night’s performance in Blackpool.
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She left the audience gobsmacked when she fluffed her lines and messed up the famous clay moulding scene.
Worried pals are now preparing to stage an intervention.
The source added: “Everyone’s telling her she needs to take a break and get her head together.
“But she won’t do it.”
They want to avoid a repeat of 2011 when she was checked into a rehab in South Africa for alcohol and depression after her split from fiance DJ Tom Crane.
She later admitted an addiction to sleeping tablets.
A friend of Sarah claimed her latest meltdown was triggered by the shock appearance of estranged dad John Hardman.
She had not seen him for 15 years.
A source said: “Her dad was in the audience and sent her a note before the show, sending her into meltdown.
“She couldn’t cope with his presence and was taken off stage.
“Sarah is also worried sick about her cousin who has a brain tumour.
“Everything is getting too much for her but she continues to plough on, desperately trying to convince her critics she’s the real deal.”
Friends also claimed her tantrums have seen her burn bridges with key contacts in the industry.
She drunkenly disrupted a performance of Jersey Boys in London
Manager Dan Parker, who represents Katie Price, parted ways with the star after two years on Monday.
The rift is believed to be down to her unpredictable behaviour.
Sarah returned to the stage on Tuesday after pleading with bosses she was well enough to continue.
Fears first grew for Sarah when she pulled out of Ghost due to illness on September 6, days after making her debut which was blasted by critics.
Earlier this year, she drunkenly disrupted a performance of Jersey Boys in London.
Days later she was seen being helped out of a pub.
Her spokesman said: “Sarah is not dependent on alcohol and can control what she consumes.”