Tragic Girls Aloud star's hidden legacy to help others after death

11 November 2023 , 17:04

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Sarah Harding, centre, on stage with Girls Aloud in 2013 (Image: Getty Images)

Tragic Sarah Harding will earn £1million posthumously from the Girls Aloud reunion - with several charities benefitting.

The late singer, who died from breast cancer in 2021, aged 39, is still entitled to one-fifth of the band’s profits made from concerts, TV appearances and merchandise under a deal that protects her earnings until 2032.

Sarah’s portion of the cash earned from the reunion, which is tipped to include a new single and 2024 tour, will go to her estate. And it is expected to be donated to charitable causes including The Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal – launched by The Christie Charity, which treated the star.

A source said: “Sarah’s estate is set for a huge boost from the reunion, which is only right seeing as it was Sarah’s tragic passing that brought the band back together. The existing deal, registered with the Intellectual Property Office, protects one-fifth of her profits on all Girls Aloud goods until 2032.”

Harding passed away from breast cancer in 2021 (Getty Images)

Bandmates Cheryl Tweedy, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh and Nadine Coyle this week reunited professionally for the first time in more than a decade. The foursome were spotted at a North London studio, recording a video dressed in Wonder Woman-style costumes.

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Girls Aloud split in March 2013 after a 10th anniversary tour, two No.1 albums and 21 top 10 singles. At the time, Nadine said the rest of the band had not consulted her about it and Cheryl told Attitude magazine Nadine was “full of s***”.

But Sarah’s shock cancer diagnosis three years ago was said to have “put things into perspective” for her bandmates. And since her death, the stars have raised more than £1.2million in her name. A source added: “Old tensions between Nadine and Cheryl have long since dissipated. Everyone was so upset by Sarah’s passing, it formed a bond that has made the band stronger than ever.

“They know she would want them to get out there and perform again, and let their hair down and have fun like in those early days.

“It’s going to be a perfect tribute to Sarah. They already have some touching ideas about what they want to do to honour her.”

Sarah was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer after finding a lump in 2020 and being reluctant to seek treatment. A mastectomy and chemotherapy failed to halt the disease.

Nicola Fahey