Sarah Harding has revealed she has been privately undergoing treatment for breast cancer after being diagnosed earlier this year.
On Wednesday, the former Girls Aloud singer shared a picture of herself in a hospital bed on Instagram, saying that she’d been keeping a low profile while receiving treatment.
She explained: “I hope you are all keeping safe and well during these uncertain times. I’ve not posted on here for so long, thank you to everyone who has reached out to check in on me, it really does mean a lot.
“I feel now is the right time to share what’s been going on.
“There’s no easy way to say this and actually it doesn’t even feel real writing this, but here goes. 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.
“I’m currently undergoing weekly chemotherapy sessions and I am fighting as hard as I possibly can.”
Sarah continued: “I understand this might be shocking to read on social media and that really isn’t my intention. 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.”
She concluded: “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. 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.”
Her former bandmate Cheryl Tweedy tweeted out a broken-hearted emoji shortly after Sarah shared the news of her illness:
Fellow Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts added: “It goes without saying that this is blindsiding. @SarahNHarding you’re so loved and supported.”
Sarah is best known as a member of the Brit Award-winning band Girls Aloud, who rose to fame on Popstars: The Rivals and went on to score four UK number one singles.
Following the band’s split in 2013, Sarah launched a short-lived solo career, as well as appearing on reality TV shows like The Jump, Tumble and Celebrity Big Brother, which she won in 2017.