Sarah Harding admits Christmas 2020 was 'probably my last' as cancer spreads
Sarah has bravely opened up in her new book; Hear Me Out
Last updated 15th Mar 2021
Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding has revealed the heartbreaking news that Christmas just gone was 'probably her last', after her cancer has now spread with a secondary tumour.
After announcing to the world in August last year that she'd been diagnosed with breast cancer that had advanced to other parts of her body, Sarah speaks bravely about her battle in an extract from her upcoming book Hear Me Out, which has been published in The Times.
Despite undergoing intense chemotherapy and a mastectomy, Sarah confirmed doctors have now told her the cancer has spread, with a secondary tumour growing on either her spine or her brain.
'The Promise' singer writes in her memoir, "In December my doctor told me that the upcoming Christmas would probably be my last. I don’t want an exact prognosis. I don’t know why anyone would want that. Comfort and being as pain-free as possible is what’s important to me now.
"I'm trying to live and enjoy every second of my life, however long it might be. I am having a glass of wine or two during all this, because it helps me relax.
"I'm sure some people might think that's not a great idea, but I want to try to enjoy myself.
"I'm at a stage now where I don't know how many months I have left. Who knows, maybe I'll surprise everyone, but that's how I'm looking at things."
Sarah openly speaks about how she 'put off' going to get checked after noticing a lump in her breast, admitting she took a large number of painkillers to mask the pain she was feeling.
The 39-year-old added, "One day I woke up realising that I'd been in denial.
"Yes, there was a lockdown, yes, there was a pandemic, but it was almost as if I'd been using that as an excuse not to face up to the fact that something was very wrong.
"I called and spoke to someone at the local hospital. A woman asked me exactly how many painkillers I'd taken, and when I told her, she told me I needed to go to A&E."
In the book, which is available to buy from Thursday 18th March, Sarah also opens up about contracting sepsis whilst in hospital and being put into a coma for two weeks.
After having a port inserted in her body for her chemotherapy drugs to be administered, the site quickly became infected, resulting in both her lungs and kidneys starting to fail.
As doctors put her into an induced coma, Sarah writes in her book, "Even then, the doctor wasn't sure he was going to be able to pull me back from it, so advised Mum to prepare for the worst."
Luckily, Sarah was able to be brought out of the coma and now her Girls Aloud band mates, Cheryl Tweedy, Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh, are rallying around the singer as she continues to undergo treatment.
We are sending Sarah all of our love. ❤️
Check out Girls Aloud's biggest career moments below:
2002: Girls Aloud are born on Popstars: The Rivals
After weeks of auditions and live shows on TV talent show Popstars: The Rivals, Cheryl Tweedy, Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts, Sarah Harding and Kimberley Walsh all won a place in the band, forming Girls Aloud!
2002: Girls Aloud battle with One True Voice for Christmas Number 1
After winning a place in the band, the five girls then battled against Popstars: The Rivals boyband One True Voice for the all-important 2002 Christmas Number 1.
Despite many thinking One True Voice would have a landslide victory, Girls Aloud's 'Buy girls, Bye boys' campaign took off alongside their debut single 'Sound of the Underground, catapulting their single to Number 1 in the UK Charts for an impressive four weeks.
2003: Debut album 'Sound of the Underground' released
Following the success of their debut single, Girls Aloud delighted fans in May 2003, dropping their first ever album 'Sound of the Underground'.
The album, which featured singles 'No Go Advice' and 'Life Got Cold', debuted at Number 1 in the UK Charts and was later certified platinum.
2004: 'The Show', 'Love Machine' and second album 'What Will The Neighbours Say?'
A second album from Girls Aloud was never in doubt following the success of 'Sound of the Underground', and in November 2004 the girls delivered with 'What Will The Neighbours Say?'
As well as receiving rave reviews by both fans and critics, the album was made up of five top-10 singles, including massive hits 'Love Machine' and 'The Show', which both charted at Number 1 in the UK Charts.
2004: Children In Need single 'I'll Stand By You' Hits Number 1
After narrowly missing out on the Number 1 spot with their previous two singles taken off the album 'What Will The Neighbours Say?', Girls Aloud hit the top spot when they covered The Pretenders' 1994 hit 'I'll Stand By You' for Children In Need in 2004.
2005: Girls Aloud receive first BRIT Award nomination
The girls were nominated for their first ever BRIT Award in 2005 in the Best Pop Act category. Despite attending the ceremony in February with high-hopes, McFly were announced as the winners on the prestigious night.
2005: Girls Aloud embark on first ever tour
Supporting their second studio album 'What Will The Neighbours Say?', the girls embarked on their first ever tour in 2005, performing at theatre-sized venues.
The 'What Will The Neighbours Say' tour ran across 22 dates between May-June across the UK and Ireland.
2005: Girls On Film
Girls Aloud gave their fans a massive treat in 2005, releasing a DVD called Girls On Film, made up of all of their music videos to date, fan Q&As, behind-the-scenes footage and a Christmas TV ad!
2005: 'Chemistry' album release
Girls Aloud released their third studio album 'Chemistry' in December 2005, featuring tracks like 'Long Hot Summer', 'See The Day', and 'Whole Lotta History'.
Despite missing out on a top 10 spot in the UK Charts, the album was certified platinum and included hit single 'Biology', which was described by music journalist Peter Cashmore as 'the best pop single of the last decade' at the time of release.
2006: First arena tour and change of record labels
After being moved from Polydor Records to Fascination Records, Girls Aloud embarked on their first ever arena tour, albeit only including 10 dates across the UK and Ireland.
The tour took kicked off in May and ended at the start of June 2006, with a set-list including songs from their 'Chemistry' album, as well as a number of their earlier hits.
2006: Girls Aloud hit V Festival
Following their previous chart success, Girls Aloud were invited to perform an up-beat set at V Festival in the summer of 2006.
The girl band performed 10 songs in total, including a cover of Robyn's 'With Every Heartbeat', and hit singles, 'Love Machine', 'Biology', and 'Can't Speak French'.
2006: Girls Aloud land their own TV show, Off The Record
Girls Aloud fans were given an in-depth look at the ups and downs of being in a girl band when Girls Aloud: Off The Record aired on E4.
The six-part series followed the girls as they prepared for their 'Chemistry' tour, as well as visiting countries such as Ibiza, Greece and China.
The popular show also gave fans an insight into Cheryl, Nicola, Nadine, Kimberley and Sarah's personal lives, with cameras following Cheryl and her husband at the time Ashley Cole on a date night.
2006: Greatest Hits album and record breakers
Following four years at the top, which included three albums and two tours, Girls Aloud released a greatest hits album called 'The Sound of Girls Aloud: The Greatest Hits', which debuted at Number 1 on the UK Album Chart.
The album was also accompanied by brand new single 'Something Kinda Ooooh', helping the girls become the first British act to reach the UK Top 5 on download sales only.
2007: Girls Aloud team up with the Sugababes for Comic Relief
In 2007, Girls Aloud and fellow girl band the Sugababes collaborated to release a cover of Aerosmith single 'Walk This Way' to help raise money for Comic Relief.
Dubbed Sugababes vs. Girls Aloud, the single went on to hit Number 1 in the UK Charts, Girls Aloud's third single to reach the top spot.
2007: Girls Aloud embark on their 'Greatest Hits' Tour
Following the release of their album 'The Sound of Girls Aloud: The Greatest Hits' in 2006, the girls hit the road again for their third concert tour in 2007.
The tour was a great success for the band, starting in Newcastle on 14th May, and coming to a close on 2nd June in Belfast.
2007: 'Tangled Up' album release
Girls Aloud dropped their fourth studio album in November 2007, with 'Tangled Up' hitting Number 4 in the UK Charts and gaining certified platinum status.
The album featured singles 'Call The Shots', 'Sexy No No No...', and 'Can't Speak French'.
2007: Girls Aloud make cameo appearance in St. Trinian's
Girls Aloud turned to the world of film in 2007 when the girls made a cameo appearance as the school band in hit movie St. Trinian's.
The group also recorded the lead single from the movie's soundtrack, titled 'Theme to St Trinian's'.
2008: The Passions of Girls Aloud airs
Following on from their first TV show Off The Record back in 2006, the girls landed an ITV2 show called The Passions of Girls Aloud, which followed Cheryl, Nicola, Kimberley and Sarah taking on new 'passions'.
Cheryl chose breakdancing, Sarah tried out Polo, Nicola released her own make-up range, and Kimberley followed her dreams of appearing in the West End.
Nadine didn't take part in the show.
2008: Second BRIT nomination and 'Tangled Up' tour
Girls Aloud landed their second ever BRIT Award nomination in 2008 for Best British Group, but sadly, the girls lost out to the Arctic Monkeys.
Later that year, Girls Aloud delighted fans by embarking on their 'Tangled Up' tour, performing at 34 different dates across the UK and Ireland between May-June.
2008: Girls Aloud release autobiography Dreams That Glitter
In October 2008, Girls Aloud released their debut book, an autobiography called Dreams That Glitter. The book included stories about their time in the band, their personal lives and even some style tips!
Following a book signing at Waterstones in London, Dreams That Glitter became a best-seller just months later.
2O08: Final studio album 'Out Of Control' released
Following a busy 2008, Girls Aloud rounded off the year by dropping their fifth and final studio album 'Out Of Control' in November.
The album, which featured hits like 'The Promise', 'The Loving Kind', and 'Untouchable', hit Number 1 in the UK Charts and went on to become Girls Aloud's best-selling studio album.
2009: Girls Aloud win their first ever BRIT Award
After a number of unsuccessful attempts, Girls Aloud won their first ever BRIT Award in 2009, picking up the award for Best British Single for their hit single 'The Promise'.
The girls also performed their award-winning track on the night, in front of an A-list audience.
2009: 'Out Of Control' tour
Although originally only a 10-date tour, due to massive demand Girls Aloud later released more dates for their 'Out Of Control' tour, performing 32 dates throughout April-June.
The set-list for the show was made up of hits mainly from their album of the same name, as well as some Girls Aloud classics.
2009: Girls Aloud announce one-year hiatus
After many years at the top, Girls Aloud announced in July 2009 that the band would be taking a year long hiatus in order to work on solo projects.
In this time, Cheryl dropped her debut solo album '3 Words', featuring Number 1 single 'Fight For This Love'.
2010: Girls Aloud support Coldplay at Wembley
Just two months after announcing their hiatus, Girls Aloud briefly reunited to support Coldplay at Wembley Stadium! The girls performed two shows alongside American rapper Jay-Z.
Despite revealing a new album would arrive later in 2010, this didn't materialise, with the band taking three years off.
2012: Girls Aloud reunite
After three years apart, Cheryl, Nadine, Nicola, Sarah and Kimberley delighted their fans in 2013 by announcing they would be making a comeback to celebrate Girls Aloud's 10th anniversary!
2012: 'Ten' album
To go with the band's 10th anniversary plans, Girls Aloud released a greatest hits album called 'Ten' in November 2012, featuring three brand new singles including 'Something New', 'On The Metro' and 'Beautiful 'Cause You Love Me'.
2012: Comeback single 'Something New' released for Children In Need
Girls Aloud scored another Number 2 on the UK Charts when they released charity comeback single 'Something New' for Children In Need in 2012.
The band performed the hit track live during the official Children In Need fundraiser in November 2012.
2012: Girls Aloud meet The Queen
Returning to The Royal Variety Performance in December 2012 to perform their hit single 'The Promise', Cheryl, Nadine, Nicola, Sarah and Kimberley were introduced to Her Majesty The Queen backstage.
2012: 10 Years at the Top
To celebrate 10 years since Girls Aloud were formed on Popstars: The Rivals, ITV commissioned a one-off celebratory TV show called Girls Aloud: 10 Years at the Top.
Airing in December 2012, the documentary highlighted the group's success across the last decade.
2013: The 'Ten' tour
To support their 'Ten' album, Girls Aloud embarked on their sixth and final arena tour throughout February-March, playing 20 dates to their beloved fans.
The group's final tour made an impressive £7.8 million, with a DVD release titled Ten – The Hits Tour being released later in 2013.
2013: Girls Aloud split for good
Just hours after performing their final show at The Echo Arena in Liverpool on 20th March 2013, Girls Aloud announced they would be splitting up for good.
The girls released the following statement, "Dear Alouders, we just want to say from the bottom of our hearts Thank you!! This tour has been an amazing experience and the perfect chance to say thank you for being on this journey with us through a decade. It has far exceeded any of our dreams and we hope we are forever your inspiration and reminder that dreams really do glitter!! Your love and support will stay with us forever but we have now come to the end of our incredible time together. Love you lots."
2023: Girls Aloud announce a re-release of 'Sound Of The Undergroud'
Girls Aloud announce the re-release of both their debut song 'Sound Of The Underground' and their album of the same name. The new version of the song is an alternative vocal mix, and the album will feature a number of unheard versions of songs along with photos.
2023: Girls Aloud reunite
After years of reunion rumours, in November 2023 Girls Aloud announced they'd officially reunited! The group announced a huge arena tour for May/June 2024, in what they are calling a celebration of Sarah.
2023: Girls Aloud celebrate 21st anniversary
Just one week after announcing their comeback, Girls Aloud celebrated the 21st anniversary of forming on Popstars: The Rivals on 30th November 2023. Sharing a number of photos from over the years on social media, the girls wrote: 'Today marks 21 years to the day since #GirlsAloud were formed…little did we know what lay ahead for us individually or as a band. Its been a rollercoaster and you have been by our side through it all 💖'. (sic)
2024: Girls Aloud's reunion tour
After five weeks of intense rehearsals, Chery, Nadine, Nicola and Kimberley finally kicked off their 2024 tour on Friday 17th May. The first show took place in Dublin, before they headed off around the UK. The tour was a huge hit with both fans and critics, with the final show taking place in Liverpool on Sunday 30th June.
2024: Girls Aloud achieve biggest arena tour of 2024
Following their reunion tour in 2024, it was revealed in July that the band have the biggest arena tour of 2024 to date. All members of the group and everybody associated with the tour were given a special plaque (pictured) to celebrate the milestone.
2024: Girls Aloud headline Brighton Pride Festival
On Saturday 3rd August 2024, Girls Aloud took the stage at Brighton and Hove Pride, performing their biggest hits to the sold-out crowd. Changing up their set-list slightly, the show included a cover of Madonna's 'Material Girl', with hits like 'The Loving Kind' and 'Watch Me Go' also included.
Many fans think this could be the group's last ever performance. Of course, we are all hoping it isn't!
2024: The Girls Aloud Show: Live from The O2
Off the back of the success of their 2024 reunion tour, ITV/STV bosses later revealed they'd be showing The Girls Aloud Show: Live from The O2 in Autumn. A one-hour show will air on ITV1/STV1 on Sarah's birthday on the 17th November, with an extended version also available to stream on ITVX and STV Player.
2024: Girls Aloud release Sarah's version of 'I'll Stand By You
20 years after releasing 'I'll Stand By You' for Children In Need, Girls Aloud announced in November 2024 that they'll be releasing a brand new 'Sarah's version' of the track. The girls wrote on social media: 'This year marks the 20th anniversary of our BBC @bbccin single 'I'll Stand By You'. To celebrate and honour our amazing Sarah, we're releasing a brand-new studio version of the track once again in support of BBC's @bbccin. 'I'll Stand By You (Sarah's Version)' features Sarah on lead vocal throughout using vocals we discovered in the Girls Aloud vault from the original recording sessions. The track played a key part in our 'The Girls Aloud Show' arena tour this summer and was an emotional moment for us all 🎙'. (sic)