Former bandmates of Sarah Harding have paid tribute to the late Girls Aloud star on what would have been the singer’s 40th birthday.

Fight For This Love singer Cheryl posted a video to her Instagram page featuring multiple clips of the noughties girl group and Harding at live concerts, award ceremonies and chat shows.

Harding passed away following an ongoing battle with breast cancer, on 5 September aged just 39.

She revealed in August 2020 that she had been diagnosed with the disease, which had spread to other parts of her body.

Cheryl captioned the video: “Memories may be all we’re left with, but they’re enough to last a lifetime #Sarahs40th.”

The video also featured snippets of interviews with Cheryl and Girls Aloud bandmate Kimberley Walsh about their friend and colleague.

“Seeing this blonde bombshell running around the audition like a madwoman, even in the boot camp when she went up to sing she was running up there and chatting, chatting, chatting,” says Walsh.

“(She) Always stood out as her own character, kind of the crazy one that was unique and in her own world,” adds Cheryl.

Girls Aloud formed in 2002 on the TV show Popstars: The Rivals, and featured Harding, Cheryl – then Cheryl Tweedy – Walsh, Nadine Coyle and Nicola Roberts.

Roberts also paid tribute on Instagram, saying: “Happy Earth birthday Sarah. Love, miss and thinking about you all the time.

“I feel your energy like you’re still here. Wish we could have ran riot around town like we used to for your big 4.0 today!

“Cause a supernova up there electric girl.”

Other stars such as actress Michelle Gayle and singer-songwriter Talia Dean also added emotional messages.