Gemma Atkinson has spoken out about the tragedy of her father's death when she was 17-year-old.
The former Emmerdale and Hollyoaks actress has recalled how 19 years ago her life changed forever.
The doting mother-of-one has shared her pain in a moving Instagram post in which she says she still hasn't accepted her dad David's death in 2002.
"Nineteen years ago today my life changed with one phone call," she wrote alongside images of herself as a child with her dad.
"I still remember mum coming into my room in the middle of the night to tell me dad had died. He’d had a heart attack. Grief sucks.
"It’s difficult and different for everyone but something we all have to go through.
"One thing I know for sure is that the world keeps turning with or without us and time still passes."
The radio and TV star from Bury, who shot to fame as Lisa Hunter in Hollyoaks in 2001, recalled how her loving and caring dad inspired her, and admitted that although she's learned to adjust she still hasn't fully accepted her loss.
"Dad always used to say to me 'don’t let the b******s grind you down,' she said.
"He always said to keep on going because better times were coming.
"I learnt to live with my new circumstance and way of life without dad in it.
"I’ve still not accepted it 100 per cent and I question daily why a loving, present and caring dad would be taken over one that couldn’t care less for his family, but I guess that’s just life.
"It’s unfair at times but anger and constant looking back gets us nowhere."
She urged: "To anyone who’s suffered a recent loss and is thinking you’ll feel this way forever I can tell you, you won’t.
"Life moves on and you have to keep going because better times are coming. You will get through it and you will feel strong again.
"Remember that, and don’t let the b******s grind you down."
Gemma, who presents the Manchester-based Hits Radio drive-time show, previously told how she started working out for her health after losing her dad to a heart attack.
His death came as a complete shock to the family because David didn't smoke, only occasionally drank and was physically fit.
Gemma, who has a daughter Mia who turns two in July, has been a supporter of the British Heart Foundation to support and prevent others going through a similar tragedy.
On Valentine's Day there was joy for the former Strictly Come Dancing finalist when her partner Gorka Marquez, a pro dancer on the BBC show, popped the question.
Gemma recently revealed that she and Gorka have no plans to tie the knot this year but confirmed that the pair are planning to get married abroad.
They're looking forward to making plans as soon as COVID restrictions are lifted.
