The Girls Aloud Show: Live At The O2 viewers were left ‘sobbing’ after the show featured an ‘incredible’ tribute to late band member Sarah Harding on Sunday on what would have been her 43rd birthday. 

Sarah tragically lost her battle with breast cancer in 2021 and pᴀssed away aged just 39. 

Nadine Coyle, Cheryl, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh reunited to tour the UK earlier this year in her memory, with their O2 now transmitted on ITV.

The girl group performed a  rendition of I’ll Stand By You set to a video of Sarah and her vocals as held hands and supported each on on stage. 

Black and white footage of Sarah singing were then shown, followed by a emotional montage dedicated to the late star which read: ‘The darkest nights produce the brightest stars.’

The Girls Aloud Show: Live At The O2 viewers were left ‘sobbing’ after the show featured an ‘incredible’ tribute to late band member Sarah Harding on Sunday 

Sarah (pictured 2015) tragically lost her battle with breast cancer in 2021 and pᴀssed away aged just 39 – and Sunday would have been her 43rd birthday 

Following the tribute fans rushed to X writing: ‘Sobbing at Stand By You, RIP Sarah Harding’: ‘Isn’t this a lovely tribute to Sarah Harding’: ‘Girls Aloud singing with Sarah Harding got me’: ‘If you’re not crying you’re not human! Incredible tribute to Sarah’.

‘Brilliant stuff from Girls Aloud on ITV, sounding and looking amazing, lovely stuff with Sarah harding on the TV in the background’: ‘The Girls did Sarah proud! The song was absolutely amazing’: ‘Aww Sarah Harding would have been 42 today happy heavenly birthday’: ‘Watching Girls Aloud… Well done girls tribute to Sarah Harding was so emotional’.

Read More Sarah Harding’s mother unveils a plaque in the star’s honour following her death from cancer

20 years after Girls Aloud released I’ll Stand By You for BBC Children In Need, the iconic band are set to release a brand-new version of the track, with their beloved Sarah featuring exclusively on lead vocals throughout.  

Sarah’s vocals were discovered in the Girls Aloud vault while the band were pulling together archive material for their sell-out The Girls Aloud Show arena tour earlier this year. 

A freshly produced studio version will now be released on November 15 as a special charity single to support BBC Children In Need.

I’ll Stand By You – Sarah’s Version premiered on Zoe Ball’s Radio 2 breakfast show on Wednesday.  

Zoe said: ‘The official children in need single for 2024 is here. If we look over the years some mᴀssive hits. Hopefully this one will raise lots of money. This year, we’ve waited long enough, so over to you Nadine Coyle.’

Nadine introduced the track saying: ‘Good morning Zoe, it’s Nadine here from Girls Aloud. We have something really special to share with you this morning. This is the official Children in Need single for 2024. 

Nadine Coyle , Cheryl , Nicola Roberts , Kimberley Walsh reunited to tour the UK earlier this year in her memory, with their O2 now transmitted on ITV 

The girl group performed a rendition of I’ll Stand By You set to a video of Sarah and her vocals as held hands and supported each on on stage

Following the tribute fans rushed to X writing: ‘Sobbing at Stand By You, RIP Sarah Harding’: ‘Isn’t this a lovely tribute to Sarah Harding’

 ‘We’ve made a new version of I’ll Stand By You which features our wonderful Sarah on lead vocals throughout. It really is a special celebration of Sarah and also Girls Aloud’s involvement with Children in Need over the years.

‘So, for the first time, here on Radio 2, this is the Children in Need single for 2024, I’ll Stand By You.’

After the song aired, Zoe added: ‘We all have watery eyes, that was so special. I’m so glad it is Girls Aloud. 

‘You are hearing Sarah’s voice and thinking about those children that need support.’

20 years after Girls Aloud released I’ll Stand By You for BBC Children In Need, the iconic band are set to release a brand-new version of the track, with their beloved Sarah as lead vocals

Sarah’s vocals were discovered in the Girls Aloud vault while the band were pulling together archive material for their sell-out The Girls Aloud Show arena tour (pictured 2002) 

A new edit of the original video featuring unseen archive footage will also be released during the BBC Children in Need Appeal Show on November 15th. 

Proceeds from the single will benefit BBC Children in Need projects working with children in communities across the UK facing a variety of challenges, including those supporting children with cancer.

The song was originally a single for The Pretenders, written by Chrissie Hynde, Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. 

On hearing this new version, Chrissie 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 Christmas all!’