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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Christopher Megrath

Loose Women's Brenda Edwards 'in tears' over tribute to late son Jamal

Loose Women's Brenda Edward's shared her emotional experience with tributes to her late son Jamal.

After suffering from a short illness in February, music pioneer and MBE winner Jamal Edwards died at the age of 31. His mother and Loose Women panellist said he was the "centre of our world" and shared her "deepest heartache" due to losing him.

Over the weekend, Soho House festival dedicated Saturday's show to Jamal, renaming the event Jamal's House Festival in his honour. Multiple Loose women panellists including Nadia Sawalha and Charlene White were in attendance for the tribute and on today's show, Brenda explained she got choked up during several acts and even broke down in tears at hearing his favourite song.

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She said: "I was really excited. It's been a couple of months since the preparation of everything but it was just so lovely to be asked if they can do that on behalf to celebrate his life and everything he's done for them.

"It was overwhelming with all the acts that were there. Jessie was there performing, Lady Leshurr... it was just phenomenal. It was such a beautiful day and it was so lovely that you ladies could come and join me."

Panellist Katie Piper was also in attendance as she added: "It was such an uplifting day. There were so many young people there who Jamal would get behind and support and it made such a great celebration which was what it was all about."

Pop star Jessie J was one of the festival's performers and dedicated her track Who You Are to Jamal which left his mother choked up. Brenda added: "I was in tears. Jessie J sang Who You Are and it was one of Jamal's favourites and it just hits you differently when you hear it like that."

Since Jamal's death, Brenda has opened a charity to support causes and organisations close to Jamal's heart. Explaining the decision to remember his name in this way, the 53-year-old said: "To honour his memory and continue his legacy, The Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust has been set up with an objective to support those causes that mattered most to Jamal.

"The Trust will look to establish a network of “Self Belief” Houses with the aim of offering individuals who are living rough a roof over their heads. There will be programmes to help tackle mental health issues they may face as well as the means to get back on their feet. The House will offer specialised programmes designed to address issues of self-confidence and other psychological challenges residents may face."

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