Close Friend Praises New Girls Aloud Single as “Amazing Tribute” to Sarah Harding

A close friend of Sarah Harding has commended the latest Girls Aloud single, describing it as an “amazing tribute” to the deceased popstar. This updated rendition of the popular track “I’ll Stand By You,” featuring the lead vocals exclusively performed by their departed bandmate, is scheduled for re-release to benefit BBC Children In Need. DJ Greg Burns remarked that the ballad was “what a tribute” to Sarah, who resided in Stockport, Greater Manchester. This release comes two decades after the band initially launched the song. Harding passed away at 39 years old in September 2021 due to complications arising from breast cancer. The isolated vocal tracks of the singer for “I’ll Stand By You” were found again earlier this year and were incorporated into Girls Aloud’s sold-out arena tour. Burns recounted his initial experience hearing this “emotional moment.” Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester, he stated: “To say that was an emotional point in the show would be an understatement. “I could feel Sarah’s mum taking my hand and I wondered why that was happening and then I realised because that was coming up. “It’s a beautiful song and so lovely that they got those isolated vocals of Sarah. What a tribute”.” Burns and Harding developed a strong friendship after their encounter backstage at V Festival in 2006, where Girls Aloud performed. He recalled: “She was so excited, having spoken for a little bit she turned to me and said ‘the other girls want to go but I want to stay, do you want to hang out?’ “I’ve thought about that moment a lot since 2021 because I thought we’d hang out for that day and we did but then there were 15 years of us going on many holidays to lots of adventures around the world and she was just a fantastic, fun girl.”” More recently, Burns accompanied Sarah’s mother, Marie Hardman, for the unveiling of a dress at the Hard Rock Cafe in London. This particular dress was worn by Sarah at the 2009 BRIT Awards, an event where Girls Aloud secured the Song of the Year award for their track, “Promise.” He commented that exhibiting the Vivienne Westwood dress was appropriate, given that it was Sarah’s explicit desire and also because the band’s affectionate moniker for her was ‘Hardcore Harding’. Following this, The Hard Rock made a donation to The Christie Hospital in Manchester, which had provided care for Sarah, as part of the exhibition.