History of Sarah Harding in Timeline

Sarah Harding was an English singer, model, and actress best known for her time in the pop group Girls Aloud. Formed in 2002 on the reality show Popstars: The Rivals, Girls Aloud achieved significant success with twenty top-ten UK singles, six platinum-certified albums (two reaching number one), and a BRIT Award for their song "The Promise."

November 1981: Birth of Sarah Harding

Sarah Nicole Hardman, later known as Sarah Harding, was born in Ascot, Berkshire in November 1981.

1993: Moving to Stockport and Education

Following her parents' separation, Sarah Harding moved to Stockport with her mother in 1993 and continued her education at Hazel Grove High School.

1998: Graduation and Early Career

After graduating from high school in 1998, Sarah Harding pursued a career in hair and beauty, working various jobs to support her passion for singing.

November 2002: Formation of Girls Aloud

Sarah Harding, alongside Nadine Coyle, Cheryl Tweedy, Nicola Roberts, and Kimberley Walsh, formed the girl group Girls Aloud on November 30, 2002, through the reality show 'Popstars: The Rivals.'

2002: Pursuing Music Career and 'Popstars: The Rivals'

In 2002, while working various jobs, Sarah Harding decided to focus on her music career, auditioning for talent shows like 'Fame Academy' and 'Popstars: The Rivals,' ultimately finding fame with the latter.

2002: Professional Debut with Girls Aloud

Sarah Harding's career took off in 2002 when she successfully auditioned for the ITV reality show 'Popstars: The Rivals,' leading to her becoming a member of the highly successful girl group Girls Aloud.

May 2003: Debut Album Release and Chart Success

Girls Aloud released their debut album, 'Sound of the Underground,' in May 2003, which achieved platinum certification and reached number two on the charts.

2005: Relationship with Calum Best

Sarah Harding and Calum Best were in an on-and-off relationship from 2005 to 2006. They maintained a friendship until her passing in 2021.

2006: End of Relationship with Calum Best

Sarah Harding and Calum Best ended their on-and-off relationship in 2006 but remained friends.

2006: Ultimo Lingerie Modelling Contract

Sarah Harding secured a lucrative £100,000 deal to model for Ultimo lingerie in 2006.

2007: First Guinness World Record

Girls Aloud was recognized by Guinness World Records as the "Most Successful Reality TV Group" in 2007.

2007: Cameo Appearance in 'St. Trinian's'

Sarah Harding, along with her Girls Aloud bandmates, made a cameo appearance in the film 'St. Trinian's' in 2007.

2007: The Beginning of the Financial Crisis

The 2007-2008 financial crisis began, impacting various industries, including the entertainment industry, in which Sarah Harding was involved.

2008: Second Guinness World Record

Girls Aloud achieved another Guinness World Record in 2008 for "Most Consecutive Top Ten Entries in the UK by a Female Group."

2008: 'Out of Control' Album Release

Girls Aloud released their album 'Out of Control' in 2008, which topped the UK Albums Chart.

2008: First Major Acting Role in 'Bad Day'

Sarah Harding landed her first major acting role in the thriller film 'Bad Day' in 2008.

2008: Peak of the Financial Crisis

The 2007-2008 financial crisis reached its peak, leading to significant global economic downturn.

July 2009: Girls Aloud Hiatus and Solo Pursuits

Girls Aloud announced a year-long hiatus in July 2009, allowing the members, including Sarah Harding, to pursue solo projects.

July 2009: 'Freefall' Television Film Release

Sarah Harding showcased her acting skills in the BBC television film 'Freefall,' which aired on BBC Two in July 2009, portraying the character Sam.

December 2009: 'Sarah Harding in 24 Hours' and Nightclub Launch

Sarah Harding was featured on MTV's documentary-style program, 'Sarah Harding in 24 Hours,' and also launched a nightclub named Kanaloa with her then-boyfriend, DJ Tom Crayne, in December 2009.

2009: BRIT Award Win for 'The Promise'

Girls Aloud, including Sarah Harding, won the Brit Award for "Best Single" with their hit song "The Promise" in 2009.

March 2010: Sarah Harding Announces Debut Solo Album

In March 2010, Sarah Harding revealed she was working on her debut album, citing Lady Gaga as a major influence. Despite her announcement, the album didn't materialize at the time.

May 2010: Financial Success and Guinness World Record Recognition

By May 2010, Girls Aloud had amassed a fortune of £30 million and earned recognition from Guinness World Records as the "Most Successful Reality TV Group."

2010: Planned Girls Aloud Reunion

Girls Aloud intended to reunite in 2010 for a new studio album after their year-long hiatus.

October 2011: Rehab for Alcohol Dependence and Depression

In October 2011, Sarah Harding entered a rehab facility in South Africa to address alcohol dependence and depression. Following treatment, she reduced her alcohol consumption but did not quit entirely.

2011: Third Guinness World Record

Girls Aloud earned their third Guinness World Record in 2011, again being recognized as the "Most Successful Reality TV Group."

2011: Engagement to Tom Crane

Sarah Harding became engaged to DJ Tom Crane in 2011.

November 2012: Girls Aloud Tenth Anniversary Reunion

In November 2012, Girls Aloud reunited after a three-year hiatus to celebrate their tenth anniversary. They released the single "Something New" in support of Children in Need.

2012: Relationship with Mark Foster Begins

Sarah Harding began a two-year relationship with DJ Mark Foster in late 2012.

2012: Girls Aloud Reunion

Sarah Harding reunited with her bandmates to celebrate Girls Aloud's tenth anniversary in 2012.

February 2013: Release of 'Run for Your Wife'

The film 'Run for Your Wife,' in which Sarah Harding played one of the lead character's wives, was released in February 2013.

April 2013: Driving Ban and Fine

Sarah Harding was issued a six-month driving ban and fined £605 in April 2013 for using her mobile phone while driving in central London. This incident occurred after she had already accumulated nine penalty points on her license for speeding.

2013: Girls Aloud Disbandment

Girls Aloud announced their disbandment in 2013, marking the end of an era for the successful girl group.

2013: Girls Aloud's Ten: The Hits Tour and Split

Girls Aloud released their second greatest hits album, "Ten", in November 2012 and followed it with the single "Beautiful Cause You Love Me". In 2013, they embarked on their "Ten: The Hits Tour". Shortly after the tour concluded, the group announced their split.

2013: Sarah Harding's Continued Pursuit of Solo Music

In 2013, Sarah Harding reiterated her intentions to release a solo album, mentioning her songwriting and experimentation with various sounds in the studio.

2014: Sarah Harding's Focus on Music

During a 2014 interview, Sarah Harding confirmed her ongoing involvement in music, hinting at various projects.

2014: Participation in "Tumble"

In 2014, Sarah Harding showcased her athleticism on BBC's gymnastics competition "Tumble", securing a respectable third-place finish.

2014: Relationship with Mark Foster Ends

Sarah Harding and Mark Foster's relationship ended in late 2014.

July 2015: "Threads" Release Announcement

July 2015 marked the announcement of Sarah Harding's debut solo single, "Threads".

August 2015: Guest Appearance on "Coronation Street"

Sarah Harding appeared as Joni Preston, wife of Robert Preston, on the ITV soap opera "Coronation Street" in July and August 2015. Her character's storyline revolved around the breakdown of her marriage due to her husband's infidelity.

2015: Acting Debut and EP Release

Sarah Harding made a brief appearance in the soap opera 'Coronation Street' and released her debut extended play record, 'Threads,' in 2015.

2015: Appearance on "Celebrity MasterChef" and "The Jump"

Sarah Harding participated in the tenth season of BBC's culinary show "Celebrity MasterChef" in 2015. She also joined the third series of Channel 4's winter sports competition "The Jump" in early 2016 but had to withdraw due to a knee injury sustained during training.

2016: Stage Debut in "Ghost: The Musical"

Autumn 2016 saw Sarah Harding making her stage debut alongside Andy Moss in the UK tour of the musical "Ghost". However, she was forced to withdraw from the production due to lingering pain from her previous knee injury, with Carolyn Maitland stepping in as her replacement.

August 2017: Sarah Harding Wins "Celebrity Big Brother"

Sarah Harding emerged victorious in the twentieth season of "Celebrity Big Brother" in August 2017.

2017: 'Celebrity Big Brother 20' Victory

Sarah Harding emerged victorious on the reality show 'Celebrity Big Brother 20' in 2017.

August 2020: Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Sarah Harding publicly shared her breast cancer diagnosis in August 2020, revealing that the disease had spread to other parts of her body.

October 2020: Living with Mother During Treatment

In October 2020, it was reported that Sarah Harding was residing with her mother in Manchester while undergoing cancer treatment.

March 2021: Release of Memoir "Hear Me Out"

In March 2021, Sarah Harding released her memoir titled "Hear Me Out", in which she chronicled her life, career, and cancer battle.

March 2021: Terminal Diagnosis

In a heartbreaking announcement in March 2021, Sarah Harding revealed that her breast cancer was terminal.

March 2021: Release of Final Single "Wear It Like a Crown"

On March 24, 2021, Sarah Harding released her final single, "Wear It Like a Crown", a song she had recorded a decade prior. She decided to release the track and donate the proceeds to charity. The single debuted at number one on the iTunes chart on the day of its release.

April 2021: Chart Performance of "Wear It Like a Crown"

Despite not reaching the UK Official Singles Top 100 chart, "Wear It Like a Crown" by Sarah Harding debuted and peaked at number 33 on the UK Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100 on April 2, 2021.

September 2021: Passing of Sarah Harding

On the morning of September 5, 2021, Sarah Harding passed away at age 39 due to complications from breast cancer. The news of her death prompted tributes from her former bandmates in Girls Aloud, along with numerous other celebrities and fans. Proceeds from her final single, "Wear It Like a Crown," were donated to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in support of cancer research at the hospital where she received treatment.