In 2004, Girls Aloud released their emotional hit I’ll Stand By You as the official single from BBC Children In Need, reaching number 1 in the UK Singles Chart for two weeks.
Now, 20 years later, the band is ready to release a new version of the song, featuring their beloved Sarah Harding on lead vocals exclusively.
Nadine Coyle, Cheryl, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh formed the iconic girl band alongside Sarah until her tragic death from cancer in 2021.
Sarah’s voice was discovered in the Girls Aloud vault while the band was gathering footage for their sold-out The Girls Aloud Show tour earlier this year.
A newly produced studio version will be released on November 15 as a special charity single to support BBC Children In Need.
Girls Aloud have released an emotional new version of I’ll Stand By You, featuring the late Sarah Harding on lead vocals.
The newly produced studio version will 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 massive hits. Hopefully this one will raise a lot of money. We’ve waited long enough this year, so it’s your turn, Nadine Coyle.
Nadine said: ‘Good morning Zoe, we have something special to share with you this morning. This is the official single from Children In Need.
‘We’ve made a new version of I’ll Stand By You. It’s a special celebration of Sarah and involves Children In Need over the years.’
After the song aired, Zoe added: “We’re all teary-eyed, that was really special.” I’m so glad it’s Girls Aloud.
“You’re hearing Sarah’s voice and thinking about those kids who need support.”
A new edit of the original video featuring previously unseen archive footage will also be released during the BBC’s Children in Need Appeal Show on 15 November.
Proceeds from the single will benefit the BBC’s Children in Need projects working with children in communities across the UK facing a variety of challenges, including those supporting children with cancer.
Nadine Coyle, Cheryl, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh formed the iconic girl band alongside Sarah until her tragic death from cancer in 2021.
Nadine said: ‘We’ve done a new version of I’ll Stand By You.’ It’s a special celebration of Sarah and involves Children In Need over the years.’
The song was originally a single by The Pretenders, written by Chrissie Hynde, Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly.
Listening to this new version, Chrissie said: “How wonderful to hear I’ll Stand By You with Sarah Harding’s lovely voice leading the way for BBC Children in Need.” Merry Christmas everyone!’
Girls Aloud reunited this year for their anniversary tour and honored Sarah at each show.
Cheryl, Nadine, Kimberley and Nicola remembered Sarah, who was diagnosed with cancer in August 2020 and died a year later, by playing footage of her singing one of her biggest hits, The Promise, alone as the girls watched.
A cover of the song featuring Sarah’s vocals was a highlight of the recent tour and an emotional moment for both the band and their fans.
Speaking to MailOnline, Kimberley described paying tribute to Sarah as “cathartic” after the group also performed the late singer’s vocals during their track I’ll Stand By You.
Kimberley said: “Honoring Sarah was quite cathartic, it really was, as difficult as the first part was, the planning; The rehearsals without her were painful.
Girls Aloud reunited this year for their anniversary tour and honored Sarah at each show.
“But then to see her honored and her voice ring out again in the arena and the love of the people, to see how happy she made her mother and everything, it made us feel really incredible.”
Meanwhile, Cheryl revealed she misses the ‘electric, wild side’ of her Girls Aloud bandmate Sarah following her death from breast cancer.
Speaking in a two-hour special program for Radio 2, Cheryl said: “There are little moments you would share with her individually on stage during the tour.
“Where there’s no more Sarah than there was at that moment and I can’t describe…like no one else knew her that way other than the four of us.”