Girls Aloud to release tear-jerking tribute to Sarah Harding for Children In Need

Girls Aloud are releasing new music – a tear-jerking tribute to .

The late singer tragically died aged 39 – after confirming her initial diagnosis of breast cancer had advanced to various parts of her body. Despite her diagnosis, Sarah continued to put on a fight and updated fans on her condition. Although she was initially responding well to treatment, she sadly died on September 5, 2021, surrounded by her family.

Now, her bandmates Cheryl Tweedy, Nadine Coyle, Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts have confirmed they will honour Sarah with the re-release of one of their biggest hits. Taking to X, formerly known as , the band announced that I'll Stand By You (Sarah's version), will be released in aid of Children In Need later this month.

It comes 20 years after the chart-mauling group released the initial version of their song in aid of the charity. In a statement shared on the micro-blogging platform, they said: "This year marks the 20th anniversary of our @BBCCiN single 'I'll Stand By You'. To celebrate and honour our amazing Sarah, we're releasing a brand-new studio version of the track once again in support of @BBCCiN.

"'I'll Stand By You (Sarah's Version)' features Sarah on lead vocal throughout using vocals we discovered in the vault from the original recording sessions. The track played a key part in our 'The Girls Aloud Show' arena tour this summer & was an emotional moment for us all."

Fans have since taken to social media to praise the band following the news. One said: "Oh my. Thank you so much for this!!! I'll Stand By You was such a beautiful and emotional moment during the show - something I will never ever forget." "OMG I'm gonna be a mess," said a second.

Proceeds from the song will benefit the Children In Need projects which work with children across the UK who face a variety of challenges. This includes children fighting cancer. Earlier this year, Girls Aloud embarked on their first tour since splitting in 2013 and performed a string of tributes to Sarah.

These included Sarah's powerful vocals being heard across arenas up and down the country, with her renditions of songs such as I'll Stand By You and Whole Lotta History. In a moving performance, her bandmates joined Sarah for I'll Stand By You as they sang along to her previously unheard recording of the moving track.

I'll Stand By You was originally a single for The Pretenders, written by Tom Kelly, Chrissie Hynde and Billu Steinberg. Despite this, Chrissie would always tell audiences that the group were going to "perform a song by the great Girls Aloud." Following the announcement of the charity rendition of I'll Stand By You, the 73-year-old said: "How wonderful to hear I'll Stand By You with the lovely vocals of Sarah Harding leading the way for BBC Children in Need. Happy all!"