Gemma Atkinson shares moving tribute 21 years after…

Gemma Atkinson shares moving tribute 21 years after her world was 'shattered'

Gemma Atkinson has paid a moving tribute to her dad on the anniversary of his death, saying it has been 21 years since her world was 'shattered'. The Hits Radio host has previously shared how David tragically died in 2002 when she was 17 years old.

She told how her dad's colleague found him hunched over his desk, struggling to breathe or move, as he was having a heart attack. Within a few days, they were told her dad was OK and put it down to stress and told him to slow down. But tragically, as the family prepared for him to come, the hospital called and said David had a massive heart attack in his sleep and passed away.

On Thursday (April 27), Gemma took to her Instagram Story with a sweet childhood snap of herself as a youngster with her beloved late father and penned a moving message to be seen by her loyal followers.

"21 years ago today I sat by your hospital bed sharing a Mars bar and laughing. You were due to come the following day," the 38-year-old, from Bury, typed alongside the image.

"I gave you a kiss, said I'd see you tomorrow and left. A few hours later the hospital rang mum to tell her you had passed away. A heart attack in your sleep. My world shattered then and there. Completely broken. Although my life is pretty amazing now, there's still that void that you left," Gemma, who is pregnant with her second child with her Strictly star fiance Gorka Marquez, continued.

"There always will be because I imagined you'd be here forever. To at least meet your grandchildren and one day walk me down the aisle. Having to remember you longer than I had you is a weird feeling. But I'm always grateful and thankful for the wonderful 17 years I had you in my life.

"17 years of feeling safe, loved, protected and happy. The best day in every way. Today we miss you more that most, but we can sit and laughing talking now about you, and I know you're regularly ear wigging and watching us all too. I feel it often and it's always a comfort."

Back in December, Gemma shared an old photo of her dad, showing David with a party hat on his nose and a can of beer in his hand as he sat in front of a wall that had been decorated with Christmas cards. "Would have been celebrating your 72nd birthday today Dad," Gemma typed.

"I'm sure you're celebrating up there in some way... I miss you Dad. Every. Single. Day," she then movingly added before sharing an even more touching clip which she has previously shared on Instagram of her daughter Mia, three. She previously Gemma shared a video of her then-two-year-old daughter at the window 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." Gemma then asked: "Is he stuck?" 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. Sharing the video again, Gemma explained: "Wehn I say up thee, I mean the moon as that's where you live according to Mia."

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