19 January 2024 , 22:36
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Danniella Westbrook, the former EastEnders actress, has shared the sad news that her beloved dad Andrew has passed away after a battle with Dementia.
The 50 year old used X, previously known as Twitter, to share the heartbreaking news with her 223,900 followers. Alongside a picture of her and her father, she wrote: "Held our hand till the end.
"Rest easy, Daddy. Jay and I will carry you in our hearts forever, and so will our children. We love you...," she penned with broken heart emojis. Andrew had been battling the disease for some time now, as Danniella has previously spoken about her dad's condition.
The actor shared the news with fans on social media this weekShe once said: "Love my dad. Dementia is a horrible illness. But he still remembers a lot." On Father's Day in 2022, the actress posted a heartfelt tribute to her dad on Instagram.
The Celebrity Big Brother star told her followers: "Happy Father's Day to the amazing men in my life. The first, my dad who has dementia but luckily still remembers us all. Thank you dad for being amazing all our lives and we love you."
Danniella Westbrook sparks concern and admits 'my family broke me' in post
Danniella's heartache over her father's passing is evident, given her close bond with him showcased through frequent photos shared on social media. The former EastEnders star grew up in Essex alongside her younger brother Jay.
The actress' dad Andy was a cab driver and then became a carpet contractor later in life. Speaking about growing up, she previously told The Observer: “I came from a very loving family - you know, 2.4 children with a Volvo - and I was very horsey. I used to ride every weekend.
“But I always wanted to be famous. My mum and dad thought I'd grow out of it, but I didn't.” The actress first gained recognition in 1990 through her role as Sam Mitchell on the BBC soap EastEnders, a part she reprised multiple times until 2016, when it was taken over by Kim Medcalf.
Alongside acting, Danniella has participated in Dancing on Ice, I'm A Celebrity, and Celebrity Big Brother, and has also starred in pantomimes including Robin Hood and Peter Pan.
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