Adele Roberts heartbroken after mother's death
'Dancing On Ice' star Adele Roberts has been left heartbroken following the death of her mother Jackie.
Jackie passed away in early January at the age of 61, but Adele decided she didn't want to share the sad news until after she had completed her first performance on the TV talent show on Sunday night (21.01.24) - and she credited her family and friends as well as skating partner Mark Hanretty with getting her through the tough time.
In a post on Instagram, Adele wrote: "For you Mum. Tonight’s performance was dedicated to the memory of my beautiful Mum, Jackie Roberts. 01.09.62 - 04.01.24.
"I didn’t want to say anything until I’d managed to get through our routine tonight. So apologies if it seemed I was overly emotional.
"My heart is broken and I miss my mum so much. Saying goodbye to her this week was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. My mum got to see the start of our routine … and tonight I wanted to finish it in her honour."
Adele added: "To my family. Thank you for keeping my head up and for giving me the strength to carry on. Thank you also to all the amazing people who came to help us say goodbye to her this week. You brought us so much comfort standing by our side.
"Thank you to the whole incredible 'Dancing On Ice' team for guiding me through one of the toughest weeks of my life. Especially you @markhanretty.
"I know how much you wanted to help me do my mum proud and I know it would have been playing on your mind all night. You are incredible.
"Thank you for teaching me to dance, to skate and joy of expressing emotion through my body. Your sport is so beautiful. I still can’t believe tonight happened."
The 44-year-old TV and radio star concluded by writing: "Thank you to every single person who has supported us so far. We are absolutely blown away by your encouragement and kindness. Mark and I are truly grateful and we promise to keep trying our best and give it 100 per cent.
"And to my biggest supporter from day one - my incredible mum. Goodnight my love. I shall think of you and miss you everyday of my life. Forever my hero. Until we meet again."
Adele is competing on the show alongside other stars including Claire Sweeney, who wrote a sweet comment on her co-star's Instagram post, telling her: "You are such a beautiful brave woman and your mum would have been so proud."
Fellow DOI contestant Ryan Thomas added: "You did her so proud tonight."
Adele has made a strong start to the skating competition by scoring the highest marks of the series so far with 27.5 for her debut routine.
