Gemma Atkinson pays heartfelt tribute to her late father with touching childhood photos
The star's father passed away when she was 17.
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Gemma Atkinson has paid tribute to her late father as she opened up about her grief in a poignant Instagram post.
The 36-year-old former soap star was 17-years-old when her father died suddenly of a heart attack aged 52. Gemma spoke about how she tried to come to terms with her loss, which she said she still struggles to accept today, and acknowledged that bereavement is a different and difficult challenge for everyone.
"19 yrs ago today my life changed with 1 phone call," Gemma began in her caption. "I still remember mum coming into my room in the middle of the night to tell me Dad had died. He’d had a heart attack. Grief sucks. It’s difficult & different for everyone but something we all have to go through.