A First Dates contestant who once won a bikini beauty contest has unexpectedly passed away at the age of 32. Tributes for Judy Fitzgerald, who once held the title of Miss Bikini Ireland, have been pouring in following her death on Saturday.
Judy, who hailed from Ireland, was crowned Miss Bikini Ireland in 2014, and also worked as a frontline nurse and midwife after earning her nursing degree at University College Cork, The Mirror reports. A year after scooping the title, the TV star donned a red jewelled outfit as she walked the New York Fashion Week catwalk in an experience she said was "a dream come true".
Judy died unexpectedly, with her friends and colleagues paying tribute to the late model on social media. Fashion designer Venera Tabakin said goodbye to her friend through a series of photos, which she captioned: "RIP Judy Fitzgerald, my little model and friend, Miss Bikini Ireland and Celebrity of Ireland."
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Actress Jenny Dixon and her husband, Tom Neville, added: "So so sad to learn of Judy’s passing. She will be missed by all very much. Our sincerest sympathy to the Fitzgerald family and friends."
One friend described Judy as a "kind, beautiful person, a girl that would light up a room with her smile", whilst another added: "A beautiful soul, may she Rest In Peace."
Judy starred in an episode of First Dates in Ireland in 2022, during which she immediately bonded with her date, Aaron. During the show, Aaron told Judy that he was entranced by her beauty as he showered her in compliments.
During a piece to camera, Aaron joked that after meeting Judy, he realised there was someone "prettier than him" in Ireland.
A notice announcing Judy's death read: "Judy Fitzgerald passed away unexpectedly on 27th May 2023. Sadly missed by her heartbroken parents Liam and Imelda, sister Lucy, brother William, brother-in-law Pedro."
Judy's funeral mass will take place on Thursday, June 1 in Raheen, with the burial taking place at Castlemungret Cemetery.
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