‘The Only Way Is Essex' star Nanny Pat has died at the age of 80 following a short illness, it has been announced.
The death of the much-loved star, full name Pat Brooker, was confirmed in a statement from her family on Wednesday morning.
It read: “Sadly our amazing, courageous and beautiful Nanny Pat passed away this morning after a short illness.
“We are overwhelmed by sadness, and the whole family ask for privacy at this horrible time.”
Nanny Pat
Nanny Pat, who was grandmother to ‘TOWIE’ stars Mark and Jessica Wright and famous for her sausage plaits and hilarious one-liners, celebrated her 80th birthday last month.
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The Royal Wedding-themed celebrations were featured on the ITVBe show. During the episode, she broke down in tears as she remembered her late husband Charlie, whose photo she would carry around in her purse.
Nanny Pat celebrated her 80th with a Royal wedding-themed bash on 'TOWIE' last month
During the party, her daughter Carol took to the stage to say how much she loved her mother.
She said: “I would like to thank everyone for celebrating Mummy's birthday. This little old lady puts everyone first and never asks for anything in return - apart from a packet of candy!”
Her grandchildren, former 'TOWIE and 'Strictly' star Mark Wright and his sister Jessica said their nan's death had left them 'heartbroken'.
Mark tweeted: "My heart is broken but so overwhelmed by your support. To know good ole Nanny was loved by so many is the best feeling in the world. Thankyou."
Jessica added: "Heart broken does not even come close to how my family & I are feeling. Thank you so much for your support my Nan was so loved an angel."
Meanwhile, 'TOWIE' star Ricky Rayment and former cast members Gemma Collins and Charlie King were some of the first friends of the family to pay their respects on Twitter...
Fans of the show also tweeted their sadness at her death...
In 2012, she released a book about her life as a child in the East End during the Blitz, called 'Penny Sweets And Cobbled Streets'.
She is survived by her five children, 14 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.