Sarah Harding’s mum Marie watched on as Girls Aloud paid tribute to the late singer (Picture: WireImage)
Marie Hardman, mum to the late pop legend Sarah Harding, was spotted smiling from ear to ear after an emotion Girls Aloud concert in Manchester.
Harding, who was born in Berkshire but grew up in Stockport, Greater Manchester, died in 2021 soon after being told she was terminally ill with breast cancer. She was 39.
Her bandmates – Cheryl Cole, Nicola Roberts, Nadine Coyle, and Kimberley Walsh – have paid loving tribute to Harding on every night of their current UK reunion tour, which is currently in Manchester.
With the venue so close to her daughter’s old hometown, it felt like the perfect night for Marie to be a guest of honour – Cheryl made sure everyone in attendance knew she was in the building.
‘[Sarah] would have been so proud of the reception we’ve had in here tonight, thank you so much Manchester for making it special for her, and for us,’ she said on stage at the AO Arena.
She then let the crowd of almost 20,000 know who was watching on with them: ‘Sarah’s mam’s in here tonight and I’m sure she’s feeling all the love and energy in the room. We love you, Marie.’
Sarah’s mum cut a proud figure as she watched Girls Aloud in Manchester (Picture: SplashNews.com)
Outside after the show, Marie was seen by photographers getting into a car, holding the biggest smile on her face the entire time.
While on her way back to her car, she occasionally looked directly at those trying to get pictures as her friends accompanied her into the vehicle, giving Girls Aloud fans some lovely moments to treasure.
At the time of Harding’s death, it was Marie who gave the sad news to a heartbroken pop world, announcing her daughter’s passing on Instagram.
Marie was supported by friends as she left the concert (Picture: Aaron Parfitt / SplashNews.com)
Sarah had a glittering pop career with Girls Aloud in the 2000s (Picture: Getty)
‘It’s with deep heartbreak that today I’m sharing the news that my beautiful daughter Sarah has sadly passed away,’ she shared on the social media website.
‘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.’
Marie continued: ‘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.
The Manchester show took place less than 10 miles from where Sarah grew up (Picture: Aaron Parfitt / SplashNews.com)
‘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 – Marie x.’
Girls Aloud’s current UK tour began earlier in May, with shows in Dublin and Belfast, before coming across the Irish Sea to play the first of three dates in Manchester.
After Manchester, the now four-piece girl group will head to Cardiff, Newcastle, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Nottingham, Leeds, Birmingham, London, and Liverpool.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.