Losing a parent is one of the most painful experiences anyone will go through no matter what age they are. Sadly, for the actress Danniella Westbrook, she has had to say goodbye to her father at the age of 50.
Discover our latest podcast
Westbrook took to social media to tell her fans that her father had passed away after battling with dementia. Westbrook has been very vocal about her father’s recent health issues. Danniella has previously revealed that she had loving parents while growing up and both her mother and father were sceptical about her becoming an actress.
Danniella Westbrook said goodbye to her father
Danniella Westbrook revealed on her Instagram story, today, Saturday, January 20, that her father Andrew had died. The actress’s father had been battling dementia since at least 2022.
On her Instagram story, she shared a photo of her father with the caption:
Absolutely devastated, you’re gone, dad. Will never get to spend another day with u. My heart is broken in a million pieces. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. Love you pops always x
Westbrook also shared on X that her father ‘held our hand till the very end’ with a photo of her and her father on her wedding day.
Danniella has been vocal about her father’s struggles. On Father’s Day in 2022 she shared a loving tribute to her dad and opened up about his struggles with dementia, as per Daily Mail, she wrote:
The first, my dad who has dementia but luckily still remembers us all. Thank you dad for being amazing all our lives and we love you.
Then in December 2022, the former Eastenders star shared that she was spending Christmas with her father and mentioned that his treatment was ‘keeping the dementia at bay’:
Lovely day spent with my dad. So happy his medication is working and keeping the dementia at bay.
What is dementia?
According to Alzheimer’s Association, dementia is not one disease, it is a term used to group ‘a collection of symptoms’ if a person is living with a variety of diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
What is known as dementia is caused by abnormal brain changes. Dementia typically affects a person’s thinking skills, also known as cognitive abilities, sometimes severe enough to affect their daily lives and independent function. Dementia can also cause a person’s behaviour, relationships and feelings to change.
According to Alzheimer’s Association, symptoms of dementia include having problems with:
- Short-term memory.
- Keeping track of a purse or wallet.
- Paying bills.
- Planning and preparing meals.
- Remembering appointments.
- Travelling out of the neighbourhood.
Read more:
⋙ Alastair Stewart: Everything we know about the GB News presenter’s career after dementia diagnosis
Sources used:
Daily Mail: ‘Danniella Westbrook reveals her father Andrew has died after a battle with dementia as she shares an emotional tribute’
Alzheimer’s Association: ‘What Is Dementia?’
