Stacey Dooley devastated as beloved star of her Sleeps Over series dies aged just 29
STACEY Dooley has been left devastated following the death of a woman who appeared on her TV show.
The presenter grew close to Jemma McGowan for an episode of Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over called Mum Fighting the Clock, which featured the mum-of-three as she battled a very rare form of ovarian cancer.
Tragically, Jemma passed away this week at the age of 29, ‘peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family’.
Following the news, heartbroken Stacey paid tribute to Jemma and shared a video of them dancing together.
She wrote: “Fly high darlin’.
“Thank you for being so kind and so so FUN. Thinking of her Clive and her gorgeous babies.”
Stacey added in another post: “Just heartbreaking. Jemma was a joy to work alongside and we continued our relationship as pals.
“Coincidentally, our film airs this evening where we reflect on our time spent with Jemma. She knew it was coming out in August and was keen to hear all about it. Fly high darlin.”
Jemma, who is from Omagh in Northern Ireland, had spoken about her friendship with Stacey after filming the documentary.
She wrote in February: “So , our secret is out. I made a new forever friend @sjdooley and we made a tv documentary together.
“It really was an emotional rollercoaster.”
Jemma was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2016, while six weeks pregnant with her second child.
She underwent surgery in hospital to have it removed, and was told by doctors it wouldn’t come back.
Jemma didn’t experience any further symptoms over the next four years.
But while she was 36 weeks pregnant with her third child, Jemma discovered a lump on her body in January 2021.
She was later diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer.
A “Service of Thanksgiving” will take place for Jemma on Sunday.