Touching

NICOLA Roberts has shared a sweet throwback snap online to honour the fifth anniversary of Girls Aloud bandmate Sarah Harding passing away.

The singer, 39, died in 2021 following a 13-month battle with advanced breast cancer.

The photo shows all five members of Girls Aloud from many years ago holding one another by the arm.

In utter disbelief about how half a decade has ticked by since Sarah passed, Nicola penned a touching tribute in the post’s caption.

She began: “It’s hard to believe it’s been five years already since Sarah’s passing.

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“So much has happened that she should have been a part of. My heart is particularly with Marie [Sarah’s mum] today.

“Sitting with myself, hormones and sleep deprivation are probably not helping but as I type I’m feeling very sad and transported to this day 5 years ago.

“Such a milestone would have most likely had this impact anyway. Most definitely for all her friends and family.”

Nicola then took a moment to gush about her friend, sharing how proud she still is of her.

She continued: “I’m also feeling proud that Sarah left such a legacy with her charity and that everyone that vowed to help her on that quest is still powering through for that silver lining she was so passionate about.

“She’s saving lives. Wish to everything she didn’t have to lose her own xx”

The Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal was founded in Sarah’s honour to fund research for women experiencing cancer in their 30s.

Thanks to the charity, women aged 30 can access breast cancer checks through a trial on the NHS.

It has gone on to raise over £1million to date from various events including performances by her bandmates Cheryl Tweedy, Kimberley Walsh, Nadine Coyle, and Nicola, as well as donations.

Fred Sirieix was left in tears after a luxury hotel surprised him with a touching gesture featuring his beloved children

A touching gesture left Fred Sirieix in tears.

The First Dates star was given an unexpected Father’s Day surprise during filming for his new travel series. He became emotional when staff at a luxury hotel in Singapore arranged a personal gesture for him while he was filming Fred’s Ultimate Hotels, which is set to air on Monday (August 31st).

Fred was staying at the iconic Raffles Hotel Singapore, one of the city’s most famous landmarks, when the hotel team decided to mark Father’s Day in a very special way.

Speaking about the moment, Fred admitted he was completely caught off guard when he returned to his room and discovered a surprise waiting for him.

“I arrived there on Father’s Day on the 21st of June,” he explained. “My concierge picked some pictures off the internet of my kids. They used AI to mock up a card to say happy Father’s Day. ‘We love you’, blah, blah, blah, and he put it in my room.”

The thoughtful gesture proved too much for Fred, who admitted he immediately became emotional. “Wow. Oh my God, I knew my kids are everything for me and I just saw that card there,” he said. “It was just on Father’s Day. I cried.”

Fred has two children with his former partner Alessandra Spendolini – daughter Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, a professional Team GB diver who won a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and was named the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2020, and son Lucien, who stays away from the spotlight.

The emotional moment came during Fred’s stay at Raffles, which is one of Singapore’s best-known hotels and has become synonymous with the city since opening its doors in the 19th century.

The hotel is famed for its colonial architecture, luxurious suites and its connection to the Singapore Sling cocktail, which was created at its Long Bar.

It has 115 suites spread across nine categories, with no standard hotel rooms, while its Presidential Suite costs around £12,000 per night.

During his time in Singapore, Fred also took part in a number of experiences as part of the new series. His adventures included a sidecar tour, a visit to the city’s Botanic Gardens and a trip to a hawker centre, where he explored Singapore’s famous food culture.

He also learned Tai Chi from a master at Raffles before heading out on a yacht experience around Sentosa. The Botanic Gardens provided another glimpse into Singapore’s unique landscape, with the city being one of the few places in the world where primary rainforest can be found within its city limits.

The trip forms part of Fred’s Ultimate Hotels, in which the television personality explores some of the world’s most remarkable hotels while getting to know the destinations and cultures surrounding them.

But despite the luxury and extraordinary experiences on offer, it was the simple Father’s Day gesture that left the biggest impression on Fred.

Fred’s Ultimate Hotels airs on Monday, August 31 at 8pm on Channel 4.