A Welsh TikTok creator whose videos dancing with his nan went viral has announced her death. Lewis Leigh and his grandmother Phyllis Leigh started making TikTok videos together during lockdown in April 2020.
It all started with a socially distanced visit to drop the weekly food shop to Phyllis in her home in Merthyr Tydfil. He asked if she wanted to be part of a Tik Tok video - something she was more than up for.
From there the duo have made hundreds of videos dancing together - each gaining hundreds of thousands if not millions of views. She was loved by his followers who were saddened to hear the news of her passing when he made the announcement on TikTok.
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Posting the video, Lewis said: "It saddens me to say, a few days ago Heaven gained a very special person, my amazing Nan took her last few breaths on this earth, she was not in pain, did not struggle and was in the comfort of her own home surrounded by family. My Nan made a huge impact on my life and I know many others too. She made me the person I am today, what she’s been through these last few years is incredible and everyday I told her how proud I was of her and will be forever. I will do the absolute best I can in life because I know that’s all she ever wanted, I love you unconditionally Nan and you can now rest with Gramps as I know you’ve missed him the most. Until we meet again, Thankyou for everything you’ve ever done."
Phyllis, 78, suffered a stroke in 2021 and spent eight months in hospital however her health deteriorated since and she spent eight weeks in hospital just two weeks before her passing. She passed away at home peacefully surrounded by her family, happy to be home.
Lewis described the mother-of-three, grandmother of two and great grandmother of one as "wicked, she said it how it is - adding that she was always up for dancing in his videos. He said: "The last three years making videos together - those memories we made - it gave her a new experience in life. When TikTok came around I said to my nan one day, I could not even come between two metres of her, we did our first video together dancing and it went viral - she was a TikTok star. It didn't take no convincing, she was always up for it."
Speaking about the first viral video in 2021, Lewis said when he rung his nan and told her she said: "Oh no, I am in my dressing gown, all these people are going to see me in my dressing gown". He added: "I was like 'Don't worry Nan it is a lovely dressing gown."
Over the last few years, Lewis said Phyllis became a TikTok sensation and had opportunities wilder than anything she had ever experienced in her life. They have featured on news websites and TV channels all over the world. He said: "She loved doing them as well. Last year we did a big campaign called Only Nans with Ofcom - basically saying if you wouldn't show your nan, it shouldn't be on the internet. She was still up for doing stuff even after her strokes - right up until it was physically impossible."
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Phyllis married Lewis' grandfather, whose name was also Lewis Leigh, in 1960 when she was 19. She had three children, Neil, Sharon and Michelle, by the age of 22 and dedicated her life to her family. Her husband passed away seven years ago and Lewis said her life was changed after almost 60 years of marriage.
As an only child Lewis said he spent a lot of time with his grandparents, he said: "They moulded me as a person. My nan has always been a determined person, when I was born in 2002 she wanted my Gramps to give up smoking and he did. They were always there for me." He said the couple enjoyed holidays to Gran Canaria over the years together - where there is a plaque in a pub dedicated to his grandfather's memory.
Lewis said his followers on TikTok have reached out and thanked him for sharing videos with his nan over the years as they have brought joy and laughter to them, reminding them of their own grandparents. The video he shared announcing his nan's death has been viewed almost five million times, with over 20,000 comments sending their condolences.
One person said: "I'm so sorry, rest in peace and every time on my for you page your nan came up always had a smile on my face." Another person said: "I'm so sorry for your loss she was so loved by all of us." Another fan commented: Absolutely devastated for you Lewis may she rest at peace, my thoughts are with you and your family."
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