22 January 2024 , 09:51
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After being forced to undergo gruelling cancer treatment, Dancing on Ice star Adele Roberts has been dealt another blow with the tragic death of her mum.
The radio presenter, 44, took to the ice on Sunday evening for her first routine with her skating partner Mark Hanretty, 38. The pair performed to Grace VanderWaal's song Clearly and received the joint highest score of the night with 27.5.
She's since announced that her mother Jackie Roberts passed away, aged 61, earlier this month and that the performance was dedicated to her. Adele said she "didn't want to say anything" until the routine was over, with her adding: "So apologies if it seemed I was overly emotional."
Alongside some photos of her late mother, Adele wrote in a post on her Instagram account just last night: "For you Mum. Tonight's performance was dedicated to the memory of my beautiful Mum, Jackie Roberts. 01.09.62 - 04.01.24."
Here, The Mirror takes a look back at the inspirational star's cancer journey and the beloved mum who was by her side throughout.
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Adele Roberts announced the tragic passing of her mum (Instagram)
Adele was fitted with a stoma following her life-saving surgery (adeleroberts/Instagram)Mum's death
Opening up about her loss, Adele paid tribute to her mum in the emotional post and explained why she had delayed the announcement. "I didn't want to say anything until I'd managed to get through our routine tonight. So apologies if it seemed I was overly emotional," she wrote. "My heart is broken and I miss my mum so much. Saying goodbye to her this week was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. My mum got to see the start of our routine… and tonight I wanted to finish it in her honour."
"To my family. Thank you for keeping my head up and for giving me the strength to carry on. Thank you also to all the amazing people who came to help us say goodbye to her this week. You brought us so much comfort standing by our side," the contestant further commented.
She continued in the post: "Thank you to the whole incredible [DOI] team for guiding me through one of the toughest weeks of my life. Especially you [Mark]. I know how much you wanted to help me do my mum proud and I know it would have been playing on your mind all night. You are incredible. Thank you for teaching me to dance, to skate and joy of expressing emotion through my body. Your sport is so beautiful. I still can't believe tonight happened."
Diagnosis and remission
Adele was first diagnosed with bowel cancer back in 2021. Adele's partner Kate Holderness first urged her to see her GP after she noticed symptoms when she went to the toilet.
She said: "I thought it might be IBS but just didn't have cancer on my radar, but when the mucus became a regular thing, my partner Kate said I had to see a doctor.
"At the time, I just thought I don't feel ill; I'm really fit, I eat a good diet so it can't be cancer. My advice is to go and get a self-testing kit and know this can affect anyone; even my doctor thought I was too young to get bowel cancer."
She kept her fans up to date with her treatment before announcing that she was cancer-feee in June 2022. Taking to her Instagram page, she said that the good news had taken her breath away.
She wrote alongside two photos: "The day I've been waiting for. Hearing the words 'you're free of cancer' absolutely took my breath away. I keep replaying it in my mind. It was the most beautiful sound I think I've ever heard. Even though I was praying Dr Khan would say that to me I don't think my head let me believe it until I heard it," she added.
Adele said she was embarrassed to get in touch with doctors at first (adeleroberts/Instagram)
Adele has been supported by her partner Katie (adeleroberts/Instagram)Adele said: "Everything we've been through seems to be swirling around in my body and life feels a bit surreal at the moment ? but I am so grateful. I am counting my blessings. I'm also in awe of anyone dealing with cancer. The courage, the strength, the determination and at times, the humour you have shown has been nothing short of super human."
Adele went on to thank her family, friends and supporters and mentioned that people had sent love and positive thoughts, adding: "You've kept me going and helped me slay this beast."
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She specifically mentioned her partner Kate Holderness, saying: "The reason I had the strength to get out of bed every morning. I will never leave you and I will always find you. In this life and the next."
Treatment
Adele underwent chemotherapy as part of her cancer treatment. She has also been open about having a stoma. A stoma is an opening on the front of your abdomen which allows waste to be removed from the body into a bag.
The star talked about having her rectum removed, telling fans her doctor told her: "It's a long story but essentially it's not possible to give me a reversal of my stoma anytime soon. He also casually mentioned that I've had my rectum removed. I might not be able to go to the toilet normally again ever? WTAF?!"