14 August 2023 , 13:50
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Broken Dean Gaffney says he's "happy" it was he who discovered his beloved mum this morning after finding her 'asleep' at her home.
The brave TV star has announced that he was the one to find Marian this morning, later posting a couple of photos including one of him gently kissing her head. The EastEnders legend uploaded an emotional announcement on Instagram, telling fans of his family's devastation at the news.
Self-confessed "mummy's boy" Dean, 45, says he was the one to find his mum as he paid tribute to her, calling her one of the "most amazing selfless, caring, generous soul to ever walk the earth". Friends and fans were quick to offer their support and condolences following the actor's candid post.
"I am simply broken to share that my beautiful selfless mother Marian has sadly passed away," he explained. "I was, am and always will be a mummy’s boy so this news has completely floored me.
Dean Gaffney says he is broken after his mother Marian died (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)"I spoke to her every day and in some ways I’m glad I’m the one that found her asleep," Dean, famed for his iconic role as Robbie Jackson on the soap, wrote. "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.
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"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.
He found his beloved mum 'asleep' after going to wake her at her home (Instagram/ @deangaffney1)"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."
He ended the announcement by saying: "Mum, I truly love you." His followers and friends were quick to offer some words of comfort on social media.
The actor was inundated with support after the heartbreaking family update (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
He called her one of the "most amazing selfless, caring, generous soul to ever walk the earth" (deangaffney1/Instagram)Carol Vorderman told the former EastEnders star: "Dean. I'm so very sorry to hear your news.....you loved her so much and she would have been so proud of you. Sending love as eve."
Former co-star Jake Wood, who played Max Branning in the show, told him: "So sorry Dean" while Max Bowden, Ben Mitchell in the BBC soap, posted: "Love you so much mate. She was so proud of you."
The 45-year-old is a proud father to his twin daughters, Chloe and Charlotte. Dean was just 19 when they were born during his marriage to ex partner Sarah Barge. In 2021 Dean became a grandfather for the first time at the age of 43 when Chloe, 24, gave birth to her first baby, a daughter called Mimi. Last year he announced he was going to be a grandad for the second time.
Dean left EastEnders in 2003 after being on the show since 1993, but he returned again in 2017 for a short stint until 2019.