Former Coronation Street star Alexandra Mardell paid an emotional tribute to her dad at her recent wedding.
The 29-year-old who played Emma Brooker in the popular soap tragically lost her dad suddenly in 2016. Michael was only 54 when he died from a cardiomyopathy, a condition that stops the heart pumping blood around the body effectively.
But the Leeds actress made sure her dad's presence was felt on the big day, despite the heartbreaking loss, in a touching tribute to Michael which she said made "it feel like we had him with us", The Mirror reports.
Alexandra had a patchwork blanket made with her dad's old shirts shortly after he passed away. The blanket, which also features her father's name Michael Mardell, was draped over a chair for the ceremony.
Read more: Leeds Coronation Street star Alexandra Mardell ties the knot in gorgeous Yorkshire wedding
Alexandra said: "We had a blanket made out of Dad’s shirts and set up on a chair throughout the ceremony. It felt like we had him with us."
Walking down the aisle with her was Alexandra's stepdad Mick. She shared with OK! magazine: "I was really glad to have him there. He calmed me down and we just had a laugh on the way."
After her father's sudden passing three years ago, the former soap star was shocked to hear that he had been suffering from undiagnosed cardiomyopathy, which led to a fatal heart attack. The condition is quite often hereditary, so Alexandra and her siblings were advised to get tested for the gene.
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Much to her relief, the actress, who debuted in Corrie in 2018, discovered she was free of the disease. However, the tests did show that she had a hole in her heart.
Known by medical professionals as a septal defect, a hole in the heart is a congenital heart disease causing a gap to appear between two of the heart's chambers. Symptoms include rapid heartbeat and breathing, leg swelling and swelling of the stomach or around the eyes and extreme tiredness.
Alexandra said: “It’s not related to the cardiomyopathy whatsoever – it’s a total coincidence but obviously an issue I need to keep an eye on.
“Luckily, it hasn’t caused me any major problems so far. I need check-ups every five years and if there are issues in the future it’s something they are able to close up. It only came to light when I was being tested for cardiomyopathy – if it hadn’t been for that test I would never have known.”
The award-winning actress married her beau Joe Parker on March 19 at The Tithe Barn in Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire in front of 90 guests. They had been engaged for two years after getting together in 2017 and boogied the night away with their guests until 1am.
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