‘My heart still aches for you!’ Love Island’s Shaughna Phillips pens tribute to her late father Eddie four years after his death and vows to use her profile to promote checking for cancer
She rose to fame less than a year ago thanks to a stint in the first ever winter series of I’m A Celebrity.
And on Monday morning, Shaughna Phillips paid a heartfelt tribute to her late father, Eddie, four years after his death, by taking to Instagram to share a childhood photograph and an emotional message.
The reality star, 27, touched on her ‘new line of work’ in the note to her dad, as she vowed to use her newfound profile to promote the importance of checking your body and detecting cancer early.
Dear daddy: On Monday morning, Shaughna Phillips, 27, paid heartfelt tribute to her late father, Eddie, four years after his death, by taking to Instagram to share a childhood snap
Shaugna wrote: ‘Dear daddy, 4 years ago I gave you one last kiss, laid my eyes on you one last time, and held your hand for one last moment. But that was in no way the last time I spoke to you, because I talk to you every single day.
‘My heart still aches for you like it did 4 years ago, I don’t even know how I’ve gone so long without your physical presence?!
‘But the bond you have with your parent is sooooo much deeper than just a physical one, and I have no doubt that you’ve been guiding me along the way, and helping me through every obstacle I face.’
Turning to her new life as a reality star, Shaugna explained: ‘By some very strange turn of events, I have found myself in this new line of work, entertainment! (I know, I’ve even blagged my way on to the telly).
Vowing to do good: Within her emotional note, the reality star spoke of her ‘new line of work’ as she vowed to use her profile to promote the importance of checking for cancer early
‘But tonight, on the 4th anniversary of your passing, I will be on ITV doing my best to raise awareness for detecting cancer early, checking yourself regularly, going to see your doctor for an MOT just because…
‘And if I am able to stop just one daughter from losing their dad, and feeling the pain that I have to live with every day, then I will go to bed with a smile on my face.
‘I love you SO much dad, as I tell you every day. 22 years wasn’t enough, but I’m grateful for every second of them. You are truly the greatest dad I could have ever been blessed with. E.P.’
Heartbreaking: Shaughna has been open about losing her father to cancer
Tribute: The star previously had a beautiful poem written by her late father inked onto her arm in his memory
Taking part: Shaughna’s Instagram post came as she is to strip off as part of the line-up for The Real Full Monty On Ice, which will air on ITV in two 90-minute specials on December 14 and 15
Shaughna’s Instagram post came as she is to strip off as part of the line-up for The Real Full Monty On Ice, which will air on ITV in two 90-minute specials on December 14 and 15.
The seasonal special sees a series of stars strip off and take to the rink to perform a routine to raise awareness about cancers which affect intimate areas of the body.
Shaughna is taking part in honour of her dad who died of cancer, claimed she hoped she could help others by being on the show.
‘If anyone watching is going through what I have and can feel like they’re not alone, I’d be so happy,’ she explained.
The Real Full Monty On Ice 2020: Who Are The Stars?
DAME JENNI MURRAY
Age: 70
Profession: Women’s Hour legend
CHRIS HUGHES
Age: 27
Profession: Reality Personality
DR ZOE WILLIAMS
Age: 40
Profession: This Morning doctor
HAYLEY TAMADDON
Age: 43
Profession: Actress
JAKE QUICKENDEN
Age: 32
Profession: Singer
COLEEN NOLAN
Age: 55
Profession: TV presenter
JAMIE LOMAS
Age: 55 Profession: Comedian and TV personality Clara says: ‘I’m not Lord of the Dance, more a sort of caretaker of the dance’ Fun fact: Bill is a classically trained musician and multi-instrumentalist
Age: 45
Profession: Actor
LINDA LUSARDI
Age: 62
Profession: Model
GARETH THOMAS
Age: 46
Profession: Rugby star
SHAUGHNA PHILLIPS
Age: 25
Profession: Reality personality
PERRI KIELY
Age: 55 Profession: Comedian and TV personality Clara says: ‘I’m not Lord of the Dance, more a sort of caretaker of the dance’ Fun fact: Bill is a classically trained musician and multi-instrumentalist
Age: 24
Profession: Dancer
BOB CHAMPION
Age: 72
Profession: Jockey
ASHLEY BANJO
Age: 32
Profession: Dancer