Queer Eye star dead at 63 as show stars pay tribute
QUEER Eye star Tom Jackson has died at the age of 63.
The TV favourite – who got a suave makeover in the first episode of the Netflix series to win back the love of his life – passed away following a battle with cancer.
Queer Eye hosts Tan France and Jonathan Van Ness were quick to pay an emotional tribute to their pal after his sad death was confirmed.
Alongside a selection of snaps showing Tom on the show, the programme’s Instagram page wrote: “It’s with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to a member of our family. Rest in peace, Tom Jackson.”
Tan wrote: “Such incredibly sad news.”
Jonathan added: “RIP Tom” before co-host Bobby Berk added: “Having a Redneck Margarita in your honour.”
In an obituary written by his family, they claimed Tom’s TV fame was one of the “highlights” of his life.
They added that Tom, a grandfather, “enjoyed the notoriety and shared his experience with whoever would listen!”
The document stated he passed away on Friday 3 March at Kennestone Hospital in Georgia, where he spent his final days surrounded by his family.
Tom sent Queer Eye fans into meltdown when he reunited with his wife Abby on the show in 2018.
At the time, elated viewers even demanded they had a special wedding episode following his stint on the You Can’t Fix Ugly programme.
In the emotional scenes, he told the show’s hosts he’d let the love of his life slip through his fingers.
Tan and the team treated him to a new wardrobe and re-vamped his home, as well as giving him advice on a healthier lifestyle.
Tom said that he was trying to win Abby back with a makeover, and claimed: “I love Abby more than anything.
“She says she loves me. I know I love her. You’ll have to ask her why she’s not with me.”
Yet later in 2018, Tom said that he and Abby weren’t together, despite looking like they’d reunited on the show.
As he revealed they had gone their separate ways, he Tweeted, “I just watched my episode for about the 20th time. I cry like a baby every time I watch it.
“Just to let the world know, Abby and I are no longer together.
“She will always be the love of my life.
“I will always love her more than anything!!!!!!!”
Queer Eye is the reboot of the 2003 Bravo series, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.