NADINE COYLE has paid tribute to her former Girls Aloud band mate Sarah Harding, who passed away from breast cancer today at the age of 39.
Coyle and Harding were two of the five members of the pop group that was formed on television show Popstars: The Rivals in 2002.
On Instagram, Coyle posted a picture of Harding alongside a message expressing her grief.
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"I'm absolutely devastated!!" wrote Coyle.
"I can't think of words that could possibly express how I feel about this girl & what she means to me!! I know so many of you will be feeling this way.
"For now I'm sending so much love to you!!"
Irish pop duo Jedward echoed Coyle's sentiments, tweeting: "R.I.P. Pop Music Icon Sarah Harding! Strength and Love to her friends and family."
R.I.P. Pop Music Icon Sarah Harding! Strength and Love to her friends and family ❤️ pic.twitter.com/pZtj8g5ETY
— JEDWARD (@planetjedward) September 5, 2021
Other industry peers paid tribute to Harding, who revealed her advanced breast cancer diagnosis in August 2020.
"Rest in peace, Sarah Harding," Spice Girl Geri Horner wrote on Twitter.
"You'll be remembered for the light and joy you brought to the world. X"
Rest in peace, Sarah Harding. You’ll be remembered for the light and joy you brought to the world. X
— Geri Horner (@GeriHalliwell) September 5, 2021
Davina McCall, who hosted Popstars: The Rivals, tweeted: "So so sad to hear about Sarah … a star from the get go , hugely fun and outgoing yet also somehow fragile , … love to her family and friends."
So so sad to hear about Sarah … a star from the get go , hugely fun and outgoing yet also somehow fragile , … love to her family and friends ❤️ #SarahHarding
— Davina McCall (@ThisisDavina) September 5, 2021
Meanwhile Kim Marsh, who also found fame through the Popstars franchise, called Harding a 'beautiful girl'.
"I'm so very sorry to hear of the passing of Sarah Harding," she tweeted.
"What a beautiful girl and person she really was.
I’m so very sorry to hear of the passing of Sarah Harding. What a beautiful girl and person she really was. I don’t claim to have known her very well but what I did know was how fun and kind she really was. My thoughts are with her family and friends at this time. Sleep tight x
— Kym Marsh (@msm4rsh) September 5, 2021
"I don't claim to have known her very well but what I did know was how fun and kind she really was.
"My thoughts are with her family and friends at this time. Sleep tight x."
Alongside Derry native Coyle, Cheryl Cole, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh, Harding had a string of hits with Girls Aloud before the group disbanded in 2013.
See More: Girls Aloud, Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding
