Love Island star Gabby Allen reveals her grandmother died today – five years after her father passed away at Christmas
LOVE Island's Gabby Allen has taken to Instagram to tell fans that her grandmother has sadly passed away.
It's a double blow for the star, who lost her dad to cancer over Christmas five years ago, aged just 54.
The 25-year-old recently said this was the first Christmas she was looking forward to in a long time, thanks to finding love with her Love Island co-star Marcel Somerville.
But on Thursday, she posted the bad news to her Instagram.
She told followers: "Sadly this time of year for my family doesn't bring much luck.
"I will be taking today away from social media as my Nana passed away this morning. Thanks for your understanding."
Gabby has been sharing a number of pictures from her Christmas at her family home in Liverpool, with her family and Marcel.
She posted one snap saying: "It has been THE BEST Christmas in a long time thanks to my beautiful family & this special one @marcel_rockyb
"Thank you so much for giving me a new lease of life during this Christmas period. I love you v much."
She also shared a sweet picture of her alongside her mum Paula and younger brother Ethan, remembering her dad.
She wrote: "Merry Christmas from The Allens. Just missing one special man but we know he's watching down from heaven and here in mega spirits Love and miss you dad!"
Gabby had previously spoken to The Daily Star about her feelings towards the festive season, but how Marcel, 31, had turned her life around.
She said: "Seeing dad so sick really put a dampener on Christmas and since then I've had horrible memories of that year.
"It was a really rough time. He was diagnosed in March then died the following January. So it happened really quickly.
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"Going through everything means I've been a Scrooge for the past five years - I hated Christmas.
But Marcel has been so lovely and told me to get ready for the most love-filled Christmas ever this year.
This is the first one I've looked forward to since I lost my dad."
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