Mark Wright shares emotional tribute as heartbroken star’s grandad dies aged 92
MARK Wright has shared an emotional tribute to his grandad after he died at the age of 92.
Eddie, a former champion boxer and paramedic, was admitted to hospital last June after a fall, but sadly never made a recovery.
And he passed away on Monday night surrounded by his family and loved ones.
Now, Mark, 37, has shared a photo of them together suited and booted by a pond on his Instagram, and wrote a tribute to him in the form of a lengthy post.
The Towie star penned to fans: “For 37 years that I have known you Grandad, I wondered and even asked you when I was a little boy numerous times “when do you think you will go to heaven” I posed this question often, because I dreaded it so much.
“I’ve had messages from hundreds of people, some I haven’t seen in over 20 years. EVERY message has the same words written in some way. GENTLEMAN – KIND – LEGEND!!
“All these things you were and more. You loved your family so much and your biggest success is how close we all are and how many of us there is. You never got angry, you backed us no matter what, you never said no, even when I asked you to come on my stag do in Vegas at 83 (you still hold the record for the only person ever to order a cup of tea in a Vegas nightclub at 2am).”
Mark continued: “If you told us off for being little s**** growing up, you’d apologise.
“You waved us off from the window every time we left your house & even 3 hours before you fell asleep forever, short of breath & not much energy left, you uttered the words “il come down and see you off son” that sums you up, you put EVERYONE first.
“You made everyone feel so special and left a lasting impression on everyone I know. My friends love you, my wife loves you and everyone you met loves you.
“Grandad you can never be replaced because you was 1 in a million, but we can make sure your legacy lives on. I will continue to be the gentleman you taught me to be, will look after Nanny and continue to make you proud as 1 thing is for sure, you were my biggest supporter.
“Thank you grandad for everything. I’m so grateful I got to love you, be your mate, that you was my teacher, my boxing coach, my taxi driver, my idol, MY GRANDAD EDDIE you legend I LOVE YOU FOREVER ”
Mark was supported by fans, who flooded the comments with tributes and heart warming messages.
Mark’s wife Michelle Keegan also posted a tribute, writing: “Grandad Eddie.. a gentleman in every sense of the word.”
The devastating news comes just weeks after it’s revealed that Mark and his wife Michelle Keegan are expecting their first baby together.
Shortly after Eddie was hospitalised, Mark’s father Big’ Mark Wright, shared a photo of his dad on Instagram.
He proudly wrote: “Happy fathers day to the best unfortunately in hospital at the moment after a fall a couple of days ago but dad I’m on my way up to see you now keep strong.”
Eddie appeared on BBC series Who Do You Think You Are? in 2019 alongside his former Towie star grandson.
Mark previously said doing the show was motivated by his granddad.
He said: “I’ve wanted to find out our family history forever, as my Grandad has always guessed where we’re from. But nobody’s ever known.
“He was told my family of his that we were Italian and to be able to give this back to him is great. He’s done so much for us, he’s our king.
“It’s hard to repay him but this was that moment before it’s too late.”