Lord of the Dance
Irish stars pay tribute to 'life and soul of Girls Aloud' following tragic death of Sarah Harding at age 39
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Irish stars pay tribute to 'life and soul of Girls Aloud' following tragic death of Sarah Harding at age 39

TRIBUTES have been pouring in for Sarah Harding after the Girls Aloud singer sadly passed away on Sunday following a battle with breast cancer.

Celebrity friends of Harding described her in glowing terms, remembering her as "fun-loving" and "always a pleasure to be around".

Harding was one-fifth of Girls Aloud, who were formed on ITV’s Popstars: The Rivals in 2002 and were managed by Louis Walsh for four years.

Speaking to the Irish Mirror, Walsh said that Sarah was "the life and soul of Girls Aloud.

"She was always fun and she was the fun in Girls Aloud.

"She loved life and music and it’s so sad. I was hoping she was getting better.

"In the early days of Girls Aloud, when they came to Dublin, she loved the Pod and Lillies and we would be the last to leave.

"She was a great girl. It’s just really unfair that she’s gone so young."

Elsewhere, Una Healy, formerly of The Saturdays, posted a touching tribute on Instagram, writing: "RIP Sarah.

"Heartbreaking news. Thoughts and prayers to her family and friends."

Sarah's bandmate Nadine Coyle wrote an emotional tribute on social media too.

"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!!"

Harding revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer last year, and back in March she said the illness was terminal and that she "didn't expect to see another Christmas."