Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick is mourning the death of his mother Rita following the news of her death on Wednesday at the age of 92.
The TV star, 54, regularly spoke highly of his mum on hit show The Supervet and made regular trips back to his home in County Laois, Ireland, to visit her.
A statement released on Wednesday read: "Our beloved mother, Rita Fitzpatrick (92), passed away peacefully in her home at Esker, Mountmellick, on Wednesday 2 February.
"Rita was predeceased by her husband Sean, brothers Tom, Sean and Pat, her sister Marie and her daughter-in-law Sheila.
"She is mourned by her sister Philomena, her children John, Mary, Frances, Grace, Noel and Josephine, her daughter-in-law Geraldine, her sons-in-law Robert, Liam, Willie and Patrick, her brother-in-law PJ, her sisters-in-law Bernie, Ettie and Sadie, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, wonderful neighbours and everyone in her care team."
Her death comes almost 16 years after Noel's dad Sean died after he collapsed on the family's farm. Noel, who was working in England at the time, still called his father his hero.
The Fitzpatrick family asked for privacy from the public with family flowers only.
At Christmas, Noel took to Twitter to tell his followers he was "blessed" to spend the day with his mum.
Sharing a happy snap of the pair, he wrote: "Happy Christmas everybody. I'm blessed to see my mammy today.
"This morning she said to me, 'Put on that poncho I crocheted so that I can laugh at ya.'
"She did just that! - followed by ‘I invented that poncho ya know.’ Which she sure did! I love her so much!"
Just six months ago Noel also mourned the death of his dog Keira who was aged 14.
The pet border terrier nearly passed away a year earlier after being seriously injured in a hit and run incident near his practice in Surrey, England.
Noel operated on the animal himself in a bid to save its life at the time.
Following Keira's death, he took to Twitter to say: "“It is with profound sadness I share the news that Keira, my beloved companion of nearly 14 years, has passed away.
"My heart is truly broken. She was my best friend in the whole wide world.
"My friend Amy and her son Kyle are broken-hearted too since they have shared her guardianship with me all this time.
"We were so very blessed and lucky to have had her in our lives, lighting the way with her magnificent unconditional love."
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