Comedian Rickey Smiley has revealed the sad news that his eldest son Brandon has died aged 32.
The show host confirmed he received the awful news on Sunday. No cause of death has been announced as of yet.
Taking to Instagram to share the heartbreaking update, Rickey - who starred on The Rickey Smiley Show between 2012 and 2014 - told his 3.8million followers: "I just had bad news this morning... I just want everybody to pray for me. Pray for my family. My son, Brandon Smiley, has passed away this morning."
Through a broken voice and behind sunglasses, he told his followers he was set to get on a flight and said he wanted all of his family members to "be strong".
He told the camera he was okay before asking people to pray for Brandon's mum and his siblings.
Rickey added: "I hate to announce this. I just want to give it to you before you hear it in the streets."
"Life comes with a whole bunch of twists and turns," he said before admitting he was struggling to think due to his emotions.
"Now I see what my granddaddy went through and why he felt the way he felt.
"My granddaddy went through this s**t with my dad and somehow, here I am going through the same thing my grandparents went through. So just pray for our family,'
A number of celebrities took to the comments section of the upload to send their thoughts and well wishes.
Among them was singer Deborah Cox, who wrote: "Deep condolences to you and your family and sending you love and comfort."
Yandy Smith also wrote: " My God. I pray over this man, this family. Please comfort them the only way you and your angels can. I pray for peace over their spirits. God hold them all at this time."
And comedian Jay Pharoah said: " My heart goes out to you and your family brother. My condolences."
Brandon had followed in his dad's footsteps and carved out a career in comedy. He has a three-year-old daughter called Storm, who Rickey asked his followers to pray for in the description of his upload.
