Gemma Atkinson says she's been missing dad for '7,300 days' in emotional tribute on anniversary

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Gemma Atkinson has paid an emotional tribute to her dad on the 20th anniversary of his death. Her father, David, died in 2002 from a heart attack when she was 17.

The Hits Radio host has previously spoken about how her dad's colleague found him hunched over his desk, struggling to breathe or move, as he was having a heart attack. Gemma told Steph's Packed Lunch in June last year that within a few days they were told her dad was OK and put it down to stress and told him to slow down.

But as they prepared for him to come, the hospital called and said David had a massive heart attack in his sleep and sadly passed away. And today, April 27, marks 20 years since his tragic death.

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Gemma, who is now a mum herself to daughter two-year-old daughter Mia, took to Instagram to shared an old clip with her followers. It showed the Bury-born star as a child with their family dog, Fergie.

The sweet clip shows Gemma, 37, in a pretty dress with long white socks and fluffy pink boots. She's holding the pet pooch before accidentally letting her fall out of her arms. Alongside the clip, she shared: "20 years ago today you passed away Dad. That’s 7,300 days of missing you being here physically but knowing you’re always with me in some way.

"A song on the radio just at the right time to the little messages you somehow send us. Even down to Mias “funny walk” she does to make me laugh which happens to be the exact same one you used to do to try and embarrass me in the street when I was a too cool teenager!"

She added: "I miss you every single day and I love you dearly. To anyone who’s experienced the loss of a parent, I understand your