Sarah Harding was a "really resilient woman" who "fought incredibly hard over 15 months" according to her consultant who has paid tribute to the late star.
The Girls Aloud star passed away on Sunday morning after being diagnosis with breast cancer last year.
As fans, friends and family mourn her tragic passing, Sarah's doctor has spoken about the "sad loss" of the vibrant pop star.
Speaking to Sky News, Dr Sacha Howell said: "It was a very, very sad day - clearly for the family and friends more so - but for myself and the team on the ward who have nursed her a good length of time. We are all extremely sad.
"Pete Waterman's comment was right, there was an element of fragility to Sarah, but she had a real mettle to her as well. She was a really resilient woman, it is such a sad loss."
He added: "She fought incredibly hard over 15 months. It was very, very difficult for her."
In August 2020, the Brit award-winning singer revealed she was fighting cancer, which had spread to other parts of her body.
Earlier this year, the 39-year-old singer posted a heartbreaking message telling fans that doctors had informed her she would not see another Christmas.
On Sunday, the singer's mother Marie announced the heartbreaking news that her "bright, shining star" of a daughter had passed away via a post on the late star's Instagram account.
The Celebrity Big Brother winner rose to fame in 2002 following her appearance on Popstars: The Rivals - going on to become one fifth of the record-breaking band, Girls Aloud.
Pete Waterman, who alongside Louis Walsh and Geri Horner, was on the judging panel as a then 21-year-old Sarah impressed with her rendition of Steps song Last Thing On My Mind during her first audition.
One Monday, music mogul Pete paid tribute to the talented artist and praised the singer for her "realness".
Appearing on Good Morning Britain, the 74-year-old star spoke of Sarah's "aura" and her "girl next door" qualities.
"She was just a lovely, lovely young kid. She couldn’t believe she was in this competition, she’d bubble with enthusiasm. She was just real and that’s what the programme picked up - her ordinariness," the record producer said.
"She had enthusiasm, she was the girl next door, that’s why she was in the band. The public loved her."
Pete then went on to look back on Sarah's star quality and how there was "no question" that she would make the final cut for Girls Aloud.
"Certain people when they walk in the room have an aura about them and you pick it up, that’s what you’re looking for," he continued on the ITV show.
"She did that, there’s no question about that. There was no question she would be in the final band. There were probably 10 people that could have made it."
Alongside bandmates Cheryl Tweedy, Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh, Sarah went on to achieve huge success in the British-Irish pop group.
Girls Aloud clocked up a string of twenty consecutive top ten singles, including four number ones, and won the 2009 Best Single Brit Award for single, The Promise.
