EastEnders star Dean Gaffney emotionally revealed that he’ll be ‘haunted forever’ following the death of his mother Marian.
The actor, best known for his role as Robbie Jackson, confirmed the devastating news on Instagram last August.
A year on, and the I’m A Celebrity star, 46, paid tribute and said the tragic moment was the ‘worst thing’ that has ever happened to him.
Alongside a photo of his late mum, Dean shared a lengthy post and explained how the loss had made him realise how fragile life could be.
So, a year ago today, the worst thing happened to me,’ he penned.
‘Whilst it’s the one inevitable thing in life losing a parent, when it happens, oh wow’.
He added: ‘Nothing prepared me for going to pick my mum up for a routine Sunday roast and finding her passed away. What I saw shall remain private, but it will haunt me forever. Sudden heart attacks are a thing. One day you can be here, the next gone, literally simple as that.
‘I am not one to share my grief on social media. However, I just wanted to say it’s been a tough year for me and maybe I’ve done things uncharacteristically. Grief hits in many ways.’
‘Mum, the legacy you have left behind is what gets me out of bed every day. You touched peoples hearts and you were selfless to the end.
He concluded: ‘We will raise a glass to you today. I love and miss you today, tomorrow and forever’.
The actor was recently part of the all-stars series of I’m A Celebrity, which saw iconic contestants return to a camp in South Africa to see who would become the ultimate champion.
First taking part in 2006, Dean previously revealed that doctors examined him in 2020 ahead of a possible appearance on the show during Covid at Gwrych Castle in North Wales and found a number of polyps in his large intestine that needed immediate surgery.
