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LIFE CUT SHORT

Heartbroken girl, 7, kissed stepmum Kelly Brewster’s picture on the TV after she was killed in Manchester bombing

THE grief-stricken partner of Manchester victim Kelly Brewster has revealed his daughter kissed the television screen when she saw a photo of the tragic 32-year-old.

Ian Winslow was forced to break the news to his seven-year-old daughter Phoebe, saying the young girl was left "heartbroken".

 Kelly Brewster and partner Ian Winslow had been trying for a baby
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 Kelly Brewster and partner Ian Winslow had been trying for a babyCredit: Kelly Brewster/Facebook

The dad said: "I just want to hold Kelly and kiss her again. I miss her so much.

"We had all of these amazing plans together, and now all that has gone. I can't believe it."

He said his daughter had struggled to come to terms with Kelly's death, saying the schoolgirl had kissed a photo of Kelly when it came up on the news.

 Kelly's family and friends have been left heartbroken after she died
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Kelly's family and friends have been left heartbroken after she diedCredit: Kelly Brewster/Facebook
 Floral tributes and messages are left in St Ann's Square, Manchester
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Floral tributes and messages are left in St Ann's Square, ManchesterCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

Music-lover Kelly had gone to the Ariana Grande concert with her sister Claire, aged 33, and her niece Hollie, aged 12, on Monday night.

Kelly had shielded her niece from the shrapnel, throwing herself in front of the young girl.

Ian said Kelly had been "the happiest she has ever been" when on the way to the concert, with the pair having just put a deposit down on a house earlier that day.

He said: "She told me it looked like her dream house."

Ian said the last time he heard from his sweetheart was in a text message at about 8pm when she said "love you".

But when the explosion ripped through crowds leaving the Ariana Grande, Kelly's family rushed to the arena to track down the three females.

Recounting the moment he was told Kelly had died, he said: "We were all shocked. Myself, Kelly's parents Kim and Kevin, everyone is absolutely devastated."

Mortgage broker Ian said he had met Kelly through mutual friends more than two years ago.

Ian said: "I knew she was the one for me. She was a beautiful, kind person who loved life in general and in particular loved music and travelling."

 Kelly Brewster's partner said he just wished he could kiss her one more time
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Kelly Brewster's partner said he just wished he could kiss her one more timeCredit: Kelly Brewster/Facebook

He told how they had gone to Disneyland Paris, along with Phoebe, in February and they were all set for two more holidays to Tenerife and Salou later this year.

Ian said Kelly Loved One Direction, Justin Timberlake and her favourite film was Dirty Dancing.

The atrocity was committed by 22-year-old suicide bomber Salman Abedi, whose parents are from Libya but he grew up in the UK, and ISIS claimed responsibility shortly after.

Ian believes the authorities should take a more hardline approach to terror suspects and added: "These people are monsters to target innocent children and adults at a concert.

"You shouldn't feel scared going to pop concerts or anywhere.

"Nobody expected this to happen but the person who did it was known to the authorities and they should take more robust action."

But he agreed that communities should "stand together" and not let extremists divide us.

He paid tribute to the emergency services for their response and members of the public for their support.

He said: "We have been overwhelmed by the messages of support. It is really heart warming.

"I just wish Kelly was still here."

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