Sarah Harding: Girls Aloud stars' messages of support after breast cancer announcement

<p>After revealing she has been <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/girls-aloud-singer-sarah-harding-reveals-she-has-advanced-breast-cancer-12056987" target="_blank"><strong>diagnosed with breast cancer</strong></a>, and that the disease has advanced to other parts of her body, her former bandmates were among thousands of people posting messages of support on social media.</p><p>Formed on ITV's reality show Popstars: The Rivals in 2002, Girls Aloud went on to have continued chart success with hits including Sound Of The Underground, Love Machine, Biology, Call The Shots and The Promise.</p><p>They went on hiatus in 2009 before splitting in 2013, but there had been speculation earlier this year of a reunion in 2022 to mark their 20th anniversary.</p><p>When Harding announced her diagnosis, <strong><a href="https://news.sky.com/story/cheryl-reveals-she-wants-at-least-two-more-children-through-a-sperm-donor-11900925" target="_blank">Cheryl</a> </strong>responded by posting a simple broken-hearted emoji on Twitter.</p> <p>Nadine Coyle and Kimberley Walsh replied to Harding's own Instagram post, with Coyle posting: "I love you!!! You have always been able to achieve miracles when needed!! I am here for all the way & always will be!!"</p><p>Walsh said: "My heart is broken. You are so strong and brave and we are with you every step of the way."</p><p>Nicola Roberts shared her message of support on Twitter, saying the news had been "blindsiding".</p> <p>In her message, Harding, 38, shared a selfie from her hospital bed and wrote: "There's no easy way to say this and actually it doesn't even feel real writing this, but here goes.</p> <p>"Earlier this year I was diagnosed with breast cancer and a couple of weeks ago I received the devastating news that the cancer has advanced to other parts of my body.</p><p>"I'm currently undergoing weekly chemotherapy sessions and I am fighting as hard as I possibly can. I understand this might be shocking to read on social media and that really isn't my intention.</p><p>"But last week it was mentioned online that I had been seen in hospital, so I feel now is the time to let people know what's going on and this is the best way I can think of to do so.</p> <p>"My amazing mum, family and close friends are helping me through this, and I want to say a thank you to the wonderful NHS doctors and nurses who have been and continue to be heroes. I am doing my very best to keep positive and will keep you updated here with how I'm getting on.</p><p>"In the meantime I hope you'll all understand and respect my request for privacy during this difficult time. Sending you all so much love….xx."</p> <p><strong>:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/backstage/id1449619878" target="_blank">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc3ByZWFrZXIuY29tL3Nob3cvMzI4NzI1MS9lcGlzb2Rlcy9mZWVk" target="_blank">Google Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5lUMl2swObUj56TGMibLzm" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://www.spreaker.com/show/backstage_17" target="_blank">Spreaker</a></strong></p><p>Other stars sending positive messages to Harding included Steps singer Ian H Watkins, actress and singer Michelle Gayle and Fifi Geldof.</p><p>Loose Women panellist Carol McGiffin and Coronation Street star Sally Dynevor, who have both been treated for breast cancer, also sent messages of support.</p><p>Alongside her success in music, Harding also stepped into the acting world, appearing in Coronation Street and the St Trinian's film franchise, and in Ghost - The Musical in 2016.</p><p>She went on to win Celebrity Big Brother in 2017.</p><p>Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, accounting for 15% of all new cases of the disease with around 150 new diagnoses every day in Britain, according to Cancer Research UK.</p><p>More than three-quarters of people survive for a decade or more after their diagnosis, the charity's figures show.</p>