It's a thriller! Sarah Harding has a hair-raising time at the launch of new Alton Towers new ride TH13TEEN

She's had her moments during the course of her eight-year career, but Sarah Harding experienced the ups and downs of a pop star lifestyle all at once when she attended the opening of a brand new rollercoaster.

The Girls Aloud star, 28, found her usually flawless hair was literally blown away during a trip to Alton Towers for the launch of their new ride TH13TEEN.

Accompanied by her boyfriend, DJ Tom Crane, the singer appeared a little coy after taking a ride on the new rollercoaster.

Scroll down to see footage of the ride in action...

Thriller: Sarah Harding and Tom Crane at the launch of Alton Towers ride TH13TEEN

Thriller: Sarah Harding and Tom Crane at the launch of Alton Towers ride TH13TEEN

It's a scream: The actress and singer keeps a firm grip on her friend during the ride

It's a scream: The actress and singer keeps a firm grip on her friend during the ride

She was pictured with wearing a sassy pair of wet look leggings, heels and a vest top.

Miss Harding was joined by former Brookside actress, and new mother, Jennifer Ellison, Gail Porter, Amy Winehouse's niece Dionne Broomfield and comedian Bill Bailey.

Also present were Z-listers Calum Best and, the glamour model involved in the Vernon Kay text scandal, Rhian Sugden.

Sarah Harding and Tom Crane
Coy: The Girls Aloud star is lured from behind the scenes by her boyfriend as they take part in some photographs

Coy: The Girls Aloud star is lured from behind the scenes by her boyfriend as they take part in some photographs

Her appearance at the launch coincided with news that she is set to follow in the footsteps of her Girls Aloud bandmates Cheryl Cole and Nadine Coyle by releasing a solo album.

She told the Daily Mirror: 'I haven't completely settled on what kind of music I'm going to make yet, but would like it to be something like Lady GaGa.

'She is the new Madonna as far as I'm concerned. When we saw her at the o2 a couple of weeks ago i was blown away. She can really sing and perform.'

Jennifer Ellison

Frightening: Jennifer Ellison poses with one of the characters from TH13TEEN's Dark Forest

Family outing: The former Brookside actress arrived at the event with her husband Rob Tickle and their son Bobby

Family outing: The former Brookside actress arrived at the event with her husband Rob Tickle and their son Bobby

The singer added: 'I'm really looking forward to having the freedom to do my own thing. In the band we all have a say but we have to compromise. Now i can do exactly what i want.'

Harding, who has also had several acting roles during the band's break, also revealed that she is planning on opening four more nightclubs after the success of London night spot Kanaloa which she co-owns with boyfriend Tom Crane.

Jennifer Ellison brought along her husband Rob Tickle and the five-week old son Bobby to the event.

Reach for the stars: Gail Porter and boyfriend Jonny Davies have a whale of a time on the TH13TEEN ride

Reach for the stars: Gail Porter and boyfriend Jonny Davies have a whale of a time on the TH13TEEN ride

Love changes everything: The TV presenter has credited finding happiness with her new man with prompting her hair growth

Love changes everything: The TV presenter has credited finding happiness with her new man with prompting her hair growth

The beaming new mother wore a pair of tight-fitting jeans, a grey vest top, a black smock and high-heeled boots.

Gail Porter appeared to be recovering from her bout of alopecia, sporting short blonde locks.

She recently spoke of her surprise at having hair again, after almost five years without it - and she credited finding happiness with new love Jonny Davies with prompting the growth.

She told the Scottish Daily Record: 'It's unbelievable. It's 95 per cent there. For a while, I had a bald patch in the shape of Mickey Mouse on the top of my head, but now that is away - well, one of Mickey's ears has filled in.

'It's come back black but I've just bleached it blonde. I sprayed it blue the other day and have also dyed it silver, gold and pink.

Dionne Bromfield
Guests: Dionne Bromfield and Bill Bailey attend the launch of TH13TEEN at Alton Towers

Guests: Dionne Bromfield and Bill Bailey attend the launch of TH13TEEN

Calum Best
Extras: Calum Best and Rhian Sugden also got in on the act

Extras: Calum Best and Rhian Sugden also got in on the act

'I keep playing with it all the time. It's so exciting and I posted a picture of my head on Twitter.'

She added: 'Jonny thinks there's a link between my hair growing back and being happy. He says, "It's all down to me". But it must be, because I'm very happy. And I'd like to think that was the reason.'

Thrilling new ride TH13TEEN is based on the discovery of an unearthed ancient burial site in an area of unexplored woodland known as the Dark Forest.

It's touted as boasting the world's first free fall drop on a rollercoaster, which can be seen in the video below.

It has been developed with the aid of the world's leading coaster and thrill consultants who have collaborated to create what experts are dubbing a 'psychoaster'.