Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding has died of cancer at the age of 39.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago.

She died weeks after revealing the illness was terminal.

Her mother Marie broke the news on Instagram.

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.”

In her book Hear Me Out, Sarah wrote:

“In December my doctor told me that the upcoming Christmas would probably be my last.

“I’m at a stage now where I don’t know how many months I have left.

“I don’t want to feel like I have to spend whatever time I have left hiding away.”

 Sarah found fame with Girls Aloud – a girl group created on the reality TV show Popstars in 2002.

The band – Sarah, Cheryl Cole, Nadine Coyle, Kimberley Walsh, and Nicola Roberts – had 20 top 10 singles.

They made £30 million through their record sales and tours.