Louis Walsh has called Sarah Harding “the life and soul of Girls Aloud” in a heartfelt tribute.
The singer died on Sunday morning at the age of 39, after being diagnosed with advanced breast cancer last year.
Louis, who managed Girls Aloud for their first four years as a band, has since paid tribute to the late star.
He told The Mirror: “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.”
The 69-year-old also fondly remember the time Sarah spent in Ireland at the start of her career.
The Mayo native said: “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.”
Sarah’s former bandmates Kimberly Walsh, Nicola Roberts and Nadine Coyle have all paid tribute to the 39-year-old following the news of her death – which was confirmed by her mother Marie in an Instagram post.
She wrote: “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. 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. – Marie x”
