Girls Aloud release emotional new version of I'll Stand By You

In 2004, Girls Aloud released their emotional hit I'll Stand By You as the official BBC Children In Need single, reaching No.1 in the UK Singles Chart for two weeks. 

Now 20 years later, the band are set to release a brand-new version of the track, with their beloved Sarah Harding featuring exclusively on lead vocals throughout. 

Nadine Coyle, Cheryl, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh made up the iconic girl band alongside Sarah until her tragic death from cancer in 2021.

Sarah's vocals were discovered in the Girls Aloud vault while the band were pulling together archive material for their sell-out The Girls Aloud Show arena tour earlier this year. 

A freshly produced studio version will now 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 lots of money. This year, we've waited long enough, so over to you Nadine Coyle.'

Nadine said: 'Good morning Zoe, we have something rally special to share with you this morning. This is the official Children In Need single. 

'We've made a new version of I'll Stand By You. It is a special celebration of Sarah and involves Children In Need over the years.'

After the song aired, Zoe added: 'We all have watery eyes, that was so special. I'm so glad it is Girls Aloud. 

'You are hearing Sarah's voice and thinking about those children that need support.'

A new edit of the original video featuring unseen archive footage will also be released during the BBC Children in Need Appeal Show on November 15th. 

Proceeds from the single will benefit BBC Children in Need projects working with children in communities across the UK facing a variety of challenges, including those supporting children with cancer.

The song was originally a single for The Pretenders, written by Chrissie Hynde, Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. 

On hearing this new version, Chrissie said: 'How wonderful to hear I’ll Stand By You with the lovely vocals of Sarah Harding leading the way for BBC Children in Need. Happy Christmas all!'

Girls Aloud reunited this year for their anniversary tour and honoured Sarah throughout each show.

Cheryl, Nadine, Kimberley and Nicola remembered Sarah, who was diagnosed with cancer in August 2020 and passed away a year later, by playing footage of her singing one of their biggest hits, The Promise, on her own while the girls watched on.

A version of the track featuring Sarah's vocal 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 with the late singer's vocals during their track I'll Stand By You.

Kimberley said: 'Honouring Sarah was quite cathartic, it really was, as tough as the first part was, the planning – the rehearsals without her were painful.

'But then seeing her honoured and her voice playing out in the arena again and people's outpouring of love, seeing how happy it made her mum and all of that, it made us feel really amazing.'

Meanwhile Cheryl revealed that she misses her Girls Aloud bandmate Sarah's 'electric and wild side' after her death from breast cancer.

Speaking in a special two-hour show for Radio 2, Cheryl said: 'There are little moments that you would share with her individually on stage on tour.

'Where there's no more Sarah than in that moment and I can't describe… like, nobody else would know her that way, other than us four.'