Louis Tomlinson’s mum Johannah Deakin dies aged 43 following long battle with leukaemia
LOUIS Tomlinson's beloved mum Johannah Deakin has died after a long battle with leukaemia aged just 43.
The midwife passed away on Wednesday, leaving the One Direction star heartbroken.
Louis will go ahead with his debut solo performance at the X Factor final tomorrow night in tribute to his late mother.
The performance was long-planned and it was one of Johannah's dying wishes for Louis to take the stage. As a result, he will go ahead with what she wanted.
A statement released today by her family reads: "It is with immeasurable sadness that Johannah Deakin’s family said goodbye to Johannah in the early hours of Wednesday 7th December 2016.
"Earlier this year Johannah was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of leukaemia that required immediate and continuous treatment.
"We respectfully request that the family are given time and space to grieve in private."
As well as Louis she leaves behind six other children, Lottie, 18, Felicite, 16, twins Daisy and Phoebe, both 12, and twins Ernest and Doris, both aged two, who she gave birth to prematurely in 2014.
Last night Felicite tweeted an image of a broken heart on Twitter.
Louis' most recent post on Instagram was a tribute to his mum.
His picture of the pair standing side-by-side was captioned: "My mother looking gorgeous before the Brits earlier this year. I love and miss you so much!"
Her husband Dan said in a statement: “Johannah was first and foremost a truly amazing mother to seven children – Louis (24), Lottie (18), Félicité (16), and two sets of twins, Phoebe and Daisy (12) and Ernest and Doris (2) - whose individual talents and success are testament to the principles and beliefs she instilled in them.
"She was also an incredibly proud grandmother to Freddie.
“Incredibly selfless, she would always look to put other people before herself. She desired nothing more than for everyone around her to be happy and loving.
"She worked tirelessly on numerous charity campaigns, creating memories for many individuals and their families.
"It wasn't uncommon for Johannah to hear through the media of an individual in need of assistance, and she would immediately make it her objective to get that person what they often desperately needed, and rarely without success.
"These are the things that made Johannah happy and content in life, and all of which for me made her simply the perfect wife and best friend to face each day with.
"I thoroughly loved walking through life with her, and though five years was far too short a time, during that time we had so many lifetimes worth of happiness, adventures, and memories.
“We would like to send our sincere thanks to Professor Steve Mackinnon and his team at University College London Hospital where Johannah was hospitalised since May.
"And during the last few weeks Professor John Snowden and his colleagues at Royal Hallamshire Hospital Sheffield.”
Louis is set to launch his solo career with a performance at the X Factor final this weekend.
She was also a grandmother to Louis' first child Freddie, who his ex Briana Jungwirth gave birth to earlier this year.
Johannah last posted on social media on September 29 when she re-tweeted a post from Louis congratulating band member Niall Horan on his debut solo single.
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Five weeks ago she shared a picture on Instagram of Louis at the Pride of Britain Awards alongside the caption: "My perfect boy".
The week before she captioned a picture of Louis and sister Lottie with two love hearts.
The 1D star split from US model Briana before the baby was born and is currently in a relationship with actress Danielle Campbell.
She split from Louis' dad Troy Austin, 48, when he was just one-week-old.
She split from her ex, Mark Tomlinson, in 2010 while Louis, who took his surname, was auditioning for the X Factor.
The midwife met current husband Daniel Deakin in 2012 and they married in 2014.