'Broken' EastEnders star Dean Gaffney shares heartbreaking family loss

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Dean Gaffney has told fans he is "broken" after his beloved mum passed away this morning. The EastEnders icon shared an utterly heartbreaking Instagram post and revealed he found his mother, Marian, "asleep" early on Monday.

The Robbie Jackson actor said his family have been left devastated. Sharing a snap of him and his mum, he said: "I am simply broken to share that my beautiful selfless mother Marian has sadly passed away."I was, am and always will be a mummy’s boy so this news has completely floored me.

I spoke to her every day and in some ways I’m glad I’m the one that found her asleep."I will retain all the amazing memories that we shared and whilst I understand the circle of life means everyone will feel this pain at some point in their lives, life can be very cruel at times, 69 is no age." He added: "To know I will never be able to physically see or speak to her ever again is beyond any pain I’ve ever experienced in my life."We all tell our parents and loved ones we love them flippantly at the end of a phone call but please tell them you actually really love them… put down that phone when you’re with them, as my mums only criticism of me was that I would be on my phone when in her company.

Life really does change from one minute to the next."I truly love you Mum, you don’t only hold a special place in my heart, you are my heart."For anyone that knew her, I don’t need to remind you of who my mum was as a person for others that don’t, she was the most amazing selfless, caring, generous soul to ever walk the earth.