Gemma Atkinson has paid an emotional tribute to her dad on the 20th anniversary of his death. Her father, David, died in 2002 from a heart attack when she was 17.
The Hits Radio host has previously spoken about how her dad's colleague found him hunched over his desk, struggling to breathe or move, as he was having a heart attack. Gemma told Steph's Packed Lunch in June last year that within a few days they were told her dad was OK and put it down to stress and told him to slow down.
But as they prepared for him to come, the hospital called and said David had a massive heart attack in his sleep and sadly passed away. And today, April 27, marks 20 years since his tragic death.
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Gemma, who is now a mum herself to daughter two-year-old daughter Mia, took to Instagram to shared an old clip with her followers. It showed the Bury-born star as a child with their family dog, Fergie.
The sweet clip shows Gemma, 37, in a pretty dress with long white socks and fluffy pink boots. She's holding the pet pooch before accidentally letting her fall out of her arms. Alongside the clip, she shared: "20 years ago today you passed away Dad. That’s 7,300 days of missing you being here physically but knowing you’re always with me in some way.
"A song on the radio just at the right time to the little messages you somehow send us. Even down to Mias “funny walk” she does to make me laugh which happens to be the exact same one you used to do to try and embarrass me in the street when I was a too cool teenager!"
She added: "I miss you every single day and I love you dearly. To anyone who’s experienced the loss of a parent, I understand your pain. Know that it does get easier, and in time you’ll be able to talk about them and smile, even laugh perhaps. It won’t always be tears, I know that much."
Gemma's celeb pals were among the first to share their love with Gemma. Former Emmerdale star Charley Webb said: "Right with you Gem. Sending love to you."
Fellow Hits Radio star Fleur East commented: "Totally understand this feeling. Sending you lots of love," while TV presenter Jenny Powell also shared her own story. " So fresh for me Gemma," she wrote. "It’s only been 9 months since we lost Dad .. so I appreciate your comforting words this morning thank you.
"Your Dad is all around , you know it .. and boy oh boy he must be so very proud of that beautiful family of yours and his total inspiration of a daughter……sending love to you as always."
Fans were also sharing their own stories of loss while sharing their support for Gemma. @ rowls71 commented: "What a beautiful post."
@wellsy2424 shared: "Beautiful post Gemma. We’re coming up to 5 years since we lost our mum and the pain of loss is still there. Sending you much love for today."
"This has made me sob over my morning coffee sending hugs our dads will be always carried in our hearts," @ rachel.edge.9277 wrote.
@elaine.gough replied: "Mia looks so like you Thinking of you on this day he will always be in your heart for ever and always follow the clouds one of them is him for sure."
In December Gemma shared a sweet video of daughter Mia remembering late grandfather on his birthday. Marking his birthday on December 11, Gemma shared a video of her two-year-old daughter Mia talking about the moon.
"Who can't get out the moon?" Gemma asked the toddler. Looking out the window, Mia replied: "Gangan David. Can't get out."
"Is he stuck?" Gemma asks to which Mia says: "Yeah," which she repeated when Gemma said: "Is he looking after you?" The youngster then starts to giggle into the camera.
