Sarah Harding's heartbroken dad has spoken for the first time since his daughter's death.
The Girls Aloud singer tragically died aged 39 in September after being diagnosed with cancer.
Sarah told fans last August that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, which had spread to other parts of her body.
Her mum Marie announced Sarah's death on Instagram and described her "beautiful" daughter as "a bright shining star".
READ MORE: Stacey Solomon sends fresh message to fans after devastating family loss
Sarah's dad John Hardman, who is also a musician and singer, has now broken his silence on her passing after the pair became estranged for two decades
He took to Instagram over Christmas to remember his daughter, The Sun reports.
Underneath an image of the singer on Instagram, John wrote: "In memory of my beautiful daughter Sarah Harding (Hardman) this Christmas.
"I cherish the moments we had together before and during her illness.
"We all miss her greatly, and we thank her fans for their love and kindness, wishing them and their families a very happy Christmas.
"One can only try to stay safe in such difficult times."
After being sent supportive messages, John said in response to one: "Thank you for loving Sarah with Us.. and keeping her in your Heart & thoughts. Be safe and New Years warm wishes.. all the best, John Hardman.."
In a heart-breaking post shared on Instagram, Sarah's mum Marie broke the news that her "shining star" had died after her shock diagnosis.
Sharing a stunning black and white portrait of her daughter, Marie informed Sarah's fans and followers that she had "slipped away peacefully" on the morning of September 5, 2021.
Marie thanked friends and fans for their support since Sarah first shared her diagnosis in August 2020, saying "it meant the world to Sarah to know she was loved."
In March Sarah released her autobiography, Hear Me Out, and had spoken openly about hoping to help others to seek early diagnosis.
And she released single for The Christie NHS Foundation Trust called Wear It Like A Crown.
Sarah, who grew up in Stockport, shot to fame as part of Girls Aloud on Popstars: The Rivals in 2002 after being put together on the show judged by Pete Waterman, Louis Walsh and Geri Halliwell.
The group went on to score the Christmas number one that year with their debut single Sound Of The Underground before becoming one of the country's biggest girl-bands.
In 2015, Sarah made an appearance on Coronation Street and two years later went on to win Celebrity Big Brother.
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