Paul Danan has shared his heartbreak after his pregnant Hollyoaks co-star and friend died in a car crash while travelling with her two sons and nephew.
The actor revealed how "lost" he felt after hearing Frankie Julia Hough had died following a motorway crash. Frankie, who starred as Jess in the Channel 4 soap, stopped on the hard shoulder of the M66 in England when she was struck by a speeding vehicle on May 13. She died in hospital two days later.
Paul, 44, shared a photo of Frankie and snippets of their time together on the programme.
READ MORE: Tributes paid to 13-year-old boy killed in crash as dad remains in 'serious condition'
He wrote: "I just heard the most shocking upsetting news I've heard in such a long time. Another good, good friend who was such a special person has sadly passed away while carrying her unborn baby and her 2 little boys and nephew who were in the car too. They had a terrible car accident."
Paul added: "She was driving on the M66 when a car must have crashed in to them. This wonderful actress played the character 'Jess' alongside me for nearly 4 years in @hollyoaksofficial her real name is Frankie Hough and I adored her. I feel so lost right now. #RIPFranki."
He added: "Here is a link to donate some money for these poor little boys she has left behind who are currently fighting for their lives and will be slowly realising that their mummy isnt alive anymore. Just incomprehensible... #totallydevastated
"ps (sorry about the shots, they're bad quality as they are screenshots from a video I have of some of our best scenes and story lines we had together in #Hollyoaks probably the best time of our lives!"
Frankie appeared on the soap as Jess Holt from 2000 to 2001.
The actress also starred in Merseybeat, Heartbeat, Where the Heart Is and Wire in the Blood.
Frankie and her unborn baby were laid to rest on June 9 after she died aged 38.
Her family have set up a GoFundMe page with a target of raising £60,000 (€69,000) for the young boys' recoveries and to "help build back our family in memory of our angel".
Adil Iqbal, 22, has pleaded guilty to causing her death, he also admitted to causing serious injuries to Frankie's son, Tommy. Iqbal, of Accrington, Lancashire, England, will face sentencing on July 19.
