Tuesday, 8 September 2009

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Gemma Atkinson: Dad's death taught me to look after myself

Ex-Hollyoaks star was 17 when her dad died of a heart attack

Women are three times more likely to die of heart disease than breast cancer

Whenever Gemma Atkinson is having a bad day,  she reaches for the heart-shaped locket around her neck. Inside is a picture of dad and just holding it gives her comfort.

The former Hollyoaks star's father died when she was 17 and it was a devastating blow.

'He was my friend, my protector and my hero,' Gemma tells Now. 'Thanks to him I was a real tomboy.

'I’d spend hours with Dad in his garage, tinkering around with cars and motorbikes. My mum Sandra would scold him for getting my clothes filthy, but I was never happier than when he was pushing me on my go-kart or when we were making dens together.'

The 6ft 2in 'gentle giant' seemed indestructible but in early 2002, he started to get chest pains. In April, at the age of 52, he suffered a heart attack and three days later he died. 

'I still speak to him all the time, just to 
feel close to him. Dad’s death changed my outlook. I stopped rushing around and learnt to relax. If anything, I learnt how precious life is.'

Heart and circulatory disease claims around 200,000 lives each year in the UK. Main factors include smoking, obesity, diabetes, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and family history. For more information, visit bhf.org.uk

See the full interview with Gemma Atkinson in Now magazine dated 14 September 2009 - out now!