EastEnders star Dean Gaffney says he will be ‘haunted forever’ as he recalls finding beloved mother Marion dead in an heartbreaking tribute marking one year since her tragic passing

EastEnders star Dean Gaffney says he will be 'haunted forever' as he recalls finding beloved mother Marion dead in an heartbreaking tribute marking one year since her tragic passing

As I reflect upon this heartrending tale of Dean Gaffney and his beloved mother Marian, my heart swells with empathy for the unparalleled pain he must be experiencing. Losing a parent is an excruciating experience that leaves a void in one’s life that no words can fill.


Dean Gaffney from EastEnders expressed that he would be eternally haunted, having discovered his cherished mother Marion lifeless last year due to an unexpected heart attack.

The 46-year-old actor, known for his role as Robbie Jackson in the soap, used Instagram to commemorate a year since her death. He expressed heartfelt tributes and described the unfortunate event as the most devastating thing he has ever experienced.

On Sundays, Dean usually takes his mom out for lunch, but this time, when he went to pick her up from her house, he discovered she was unconscious.

Sharing a picture of actor Marion, he penned down a heartfelt message detailing how a recent loss made him understand the delicate nature of life.

Today marks a year since I experienced the most heart-wrenching event – losing my parent. Though we all know that this is an unavoidable part of life, when it happens, it leaves such a profound impact.

EastEnders star Dean Gaffney says he will be 'haunted forever' as he recalls finding beloved mother Marion dead in an heartbreaking tribute marking one year since her tragic passing

EastEnders star Dean Gaffney says he will be 'haunted forever' as he recalls finding beloved mother Marion dead in an heartbreaking tribute marking one year since her tragic passing
EastEnders star Dean Gaffney says he will be 'haunted forever' as he recalls finding beloved mother Marion dead in an heartbreaking tribute marking one year since her tragic passing

‘Nothing prepared me for going to pick my mum up for a routine Sunday roast and finding her passed away. What I saw shall remain private, but it will haunt me forever. Sudden heart attacks are a thing. One day you can be here, the next gone, literally simple as that’.

As someone who has weathered the storms of life, I have learned that sharing grief on social media is not my way of coping. However, I feel compelled to express that this year has been exceptionally challenging for me, and perhaps some of my actions may have seemed out of character. Grief, it seems, strikes in a myriad of ways, and I find myself navigating the complexities of its impact on my life.

Dear Mum, it’s your legacy that inspires me to rise each morning. Your ability to touch people’s hearts deeply, and your unwavering selflessness, continue to move me.

I vividly remember the times we shared together, the laughter, the tears, and everything in between. Today, as I raise a glass in your honor, I am reminded of those moments and feel a profound sense of love and longing for you. Not only do I cherish the memories we made, but I also miss you every day, knowing that our friendship transcends time and space. My heart is filled with gratitude for the impact you had on my life, and I look forward to the day when we can celebrate together again.

Well-known friends, among them other soap opera actors, flooded the comment section with messages of support, encouragement, and condolences for Dean.

His onscreen sister Natalie Cassidy, who plays Sonia Fowler, wrote: ‘Love you so much’.

All four individuals – Tamzin Outhwaite, Charlie Books, Danny Dyer, and Jake Wood – expressed their sympathy using the symbol of a red heart emoji online.

Terri Dwyer commented: ‘I’m so sorry for your loss Dean, so very sad’.

EastEnders star Dean Gaffney says he will be 'haunted forever' as he recalls finding beloved mother Marion dead in an heartbreaking tribute marking one year since her tragic passing
EastEnders star Dean Gaffney says he will be 'haunted forever' as he recalls finding beloved mother Marion dead in an heartbreaking tribute marking one year since her tragic passing
EastEnders star Dean Gaffney says he will be 'haunted forever' as he recalls finding beloved mother Marion dead in an heartbreaking tribute marking one year since her tragic passing
EastEnders star Dean Gaffney says he will be 'haunted forever' as he recalls finding beloved mother Marion dead in an heartbreaking tribute marking one year since her tragic passing
EastEnders star Dean Gaffney says he will be 'haunted forever' as he recalls finding beloved mother Marion dead in an heartbreaking tribute marking one year since her tragic passing
EastEnders star Dean Gaffney says he will be 'haunted forever' as he recalls finding beloved mother Marion dead in an heartbreaking tribute marking one year since her tragic passing
EastEnders star Dean Gaffney says he will be 'haunted forever' as he recalls finding beloved mother Marion dead in an heartbreaking tribute marking one year since her tragic passing
EastEnders star Dean Gaffney says he will be 'haunted forever' as he recalls finding beloved mother Marion dead in an heartbreaking tribute marking one year since her tragic passing
EastEnders star Dean Gaffney says he will be 'haunted forever' as he recalls finding beloved mother Marion dead in an heartbreaking tribute marking one year since her tragic passing
EastEnders star Dean Gaffney says he will be 'haunted forever' as he recalls finding beloved mother Marion dead in an heartbreaking tribute marking one year since her tragic passing
EastEnders star Dean Gaffney says he will be 'haunted forever' as he recalls finding beloved mother Marion dead in an heartbreaking tribute marking one year since her tragic passing

Gemma Bissex said: ‘Oh Dean sending so much love to you my friend’.

While  Corrie’s Andy Whyment wrote: ‘Sending love mate’.

And Emmerdale’s Danny Miller added: ‘Sending all my love my friend. Love you brother’. 

Darren Day commented: ‘sending love Mate’  

Last year Dean took to Instagram to break the news after finding Marion ‘asleep’.

Next to a picture of him and his mom, he posted: ‘It’s with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my lovely, selfless mother, Marian.’

‘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.

As a lifestyle guide, let me express it this way: I’ll cherish every beautiful moment we experienced together. Though I recognize that the cycle of life inevitably brings sorrow to us all, I can’t help but feel the harshness life sometimes inflicts upon us.

It’s unbearably painful for me to accept that I can never physically meet or communicate with her again – a level of sorrow I haven’t felt before in my existence.

Instead of casually expressing your love over the phone, take a moment to genuinely tell your parents and dear ones that you care for them deeply. Set aside your phone when you’re together, as my mother often regretted that I was preoccupied with mine in her presence. Life can shift dramatically from one instant to the next, so cherish those moments spent with loved ones.

He added: ‘I truly love you Mum, you don’t only hold a special place in my heart, you are my heart.

For those who knew her, there’s no doubt about the kind of person my mom was. But for those who didn’t, let me tell you, she was an extraordinary individual – selfless, caring, and generous beyond belief. A soul so special, it seemed as if she was meant to walk on earth. Mom, I deeply cherish you.

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2024-08-13 00:19

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