Mark Wright and sister Jess break silence with emotional tribute following death of their grandad

Michelle Keegan has also shared her support

Mark Wright has paid heartbreaking tribute to his beloved grandad after his death earlier this week.

Eddie’s death was announced in a statement on January 7 – just weeks after Mark revealed wife Michelle Keegan was pregnant.

TV star Mark and actress Michelle confirmed their baby news last month. The showbiz couple have been together for more than 10 years – and got married in 2015.

However, Mark has now suffered a tragic family loss following the death of his grandfather Eddie. Both he and sister Jess Wright have now paid tribute.

Mark Wright, wife Michelle and Jess pay tribute to Grandad Eddie

Posting on Instagram, Jess shared a carousel of pictures of herself with her grandad. They included snaps of Jess as a little girl and pictures of her and Eddie at her wedding.

In a lengthy caption, she wrote: “If only I could cuddle you and feel you cuddle me back so tight again.  Losing you grandad has broken my heart all over again.

“From the day I met you, there was no doubt you would be my best friend. If you look up the words legend and hero in the dictionary, it would say Grandad Eddie and everyone knew it which makes me immensely proud.”

Jess then added: “They simply do not make them like you any more and that’s a fact. Your kindness, generosity, caring ways with your beautiful smile and undeniable love for your family will live with on forever.

“You set the tone for men all over.”

‘Thank you for being you’

She then shared her thanks to her grandad for giving her away at her English wedding, and added: “That really did mean the world to me. Thank you for being you.”

Jess then added: “Thank you for allowing me to live with you when I was a little girl and without fail, letting me sit on your lap every single night watching reruns of Only Fools and Horses over and over again. For helping me write a letter to the BBC in hope to meet David Jason which we never ended up sending thank god as I will treasure it forever, as you did in our memory box.”

Jess shared other fond memories, too. “You still laughing at the same jokes from Only Fools I made you hear night after night. Fireman carrying me up and down the stairs every day. Splashing water in my face when I wouldn’t wake up. Playing cowboys in the kitchen over and over even though you must have been so bored of it.

“Taking me to school every day and picking me up and actually getting me in on time, which shocked everyone!”

“Thank you for making us laugh and always speaking your broken Spanish even up until the day you left us. Muchas gracias grandad for everything. You were our family and it will never be the same without you.”

She concluded the post: “Love you more than words can say grandad. Lovely jubbly. See you again some day, can’t wait for another cuddle.”

Mark and Michelle share sadness

Heart FM DJ Mark added his tribute in the comments. He shared: “No better than you grandad x.”

Wife Michelle added five red love hearts underneath Jess’ tribute.

Mark and Michelle shared their own tributes to Grandad Eddie (Credit: Splashnews.com)

Grandad Eddie ‘died peacefully at home’

The news of Mark’s grandad’s death was confirmed on Tuesday (January 7) by a spokesperson for Mark.

He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones.

They told MailOnline: “Mark’s grandad passed away last night. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones.”

Former champion boxer and paramedic Eddie was rushed to hospital last June after a fall, with the family heading over to be with him.

Mark Wright admitted grandad ‘did so much for us’

Eddie made several TV appearances with the Wright family over the years. In 2019, he starred in Who Do You Think You Are? alongside grandson Mark.

“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,” Mark said at the time, revealing it was Eddie who motivated him to go on the show.

He added: “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.”

Mark was close with his grandfather (Credit: ITV)

Mark and Michelle’s baby news

Eddie’s sad death comes after Mark confirmed wife Michelle is expecting their first baby.

Mark and Michelle posted a gorgeous picture to Instagram on December 29. In it, Michelle showed off her baby bump as the pair announced they’ll become parents in 2025.

Already rumours have swirled over the baby’s sex and even what they may name them. And earlier this month, Michelle broke her silence with a radiant snap, flaunting her glowing appearance.

The Fool Me Once star took her Stories to share her love for “sunny winter days”. It was here that she showed fans just what she’s wearing to wrap up her baby bump.