1 week ago
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The Traitors' winner Rachel Duffy has paid a heartbreaking tribute to her mother Anne.
Throughout the show, the mother-of-three, 43, shared how the prize money would allow her to make memories with her mum, who was tragically diagnosed with Parkinson's when she was just 47 and in her last few years with dementia.
However on Tuesday, in a tragic turn of events just days after Friday's final, Rachel shared the devastating news that her mother had passed away.
On Sunday, Rachel took to Instagram where she shared a montage of photos and an emotional message. She wrote: 'Thank you Mummy, thank you for loving us so much.
'Thank you for teaching us our worth. Thank you for so much kindness shown and taught. Thank you for endless laughs and lots of fun. Thank you for helping us parent our babies. Thank you for being a shoulder to cry on when we needed one.
'Thank you for the many words of wisdom over the years. Thank you for showing us the true meaning of integrity. Thank you for giving us a beautiful life. Thank you for a lifetime of happy memories.
'Thank you for being our mummy. We love you x'.
The Traitors' winner Rachel Duffy has paid a heartbreaking tribute to her mother Anne
The mother-of-three from Newry in Northern Ireland spoke often about her mother Anne, 70, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in her forties, during her time on the show
On Sunday, Rachel took to Instagram where she shared a montage of photos and an emotional message. She wrote: 'Thank you Mummy, thank you for loving us so much'
Rachel's Traitors co-stars rallied around her in the comments. Dr Ellie Buckley wrote: 'You and your family are in my thoughts, sending lots of love';
Faraaz Noor typed: 'Sending you and your family all the love in the world Rachel, just know how proud your mam is of you and the mother you are to your kids'.
While filming for the show wrapped months ago, Rachel and Stephen are yet to receive their share of the £95,750 prize pot, meaning that tragically Rachel was robbed of treating Anne to the holiday she dreamt of.
Despite winning £47,000 each, contestants don't receive the prize money until after the show, and on Monday Stephen revealed the money was yet to hit his account.
Appearing on This Morning, host Cat Deeley asked the star how many times he had checked his banking app since the final.
Laughing, Stephen replied: 'It's not in there yet. But, yeah, I'm not checking because I just want to get a nice surprise when it finally comes in. But yeah, not yet.'
Taking to Instagram to announce her death on Tuesday, she penned: 'We are heartbroken to share the passing of our beautiful wee mummy. We kindly ask for privacy as our family grieves during this difficult time.'
Rachel's Traitors co-stars rallied around her in the comments. Dr Ellie Buckley wrote: 'You and your family are in my thoughts, sending lots of love'
Rachel uploaded photos with her siblings as she remembered her mother
Another photo showed Rachel's mother beaming on a walk in the countryside
Taking to Instagram to announce her death on Tuesday, Rachel penned: 'We are heartbroken to share the passing of our beautiful wee mummy'
On Monday, Stephen revealed the prize money was yet to hit his account as Cat Deeley asked him how many times he had been refreshing his banking app
Last March, Rachel took to Instagram to share a birthday tribute to her mum after she turned 70 in a big bash with friends and family
Speaking during the show at a dinner party with the final eight contestants, Rachel shared her mother's story with the group.
Struggling to control her emotions she began: 'I would like to do something for my mummy who has been very ill for a long time.
'She was diagnosed with Parkinson's when she was only 47 and I have watched her my whole adult life just put her whole life on hold for other people.
'And she was diagnosed with dementia recently and all she wants to do is go on a holiday.'
Explaining what she would use the money for she added: 'And I think if I were to win the money it would be to take her and my kids on holiday and make memories while she still has her memories.
'I think life is so precious and I really really want it for my mum because she did everything for us and I think now it's her time for us to look after her.'
In a poignant photograph shared during the show, Anne was seen proudly holding up a T-shirt which read 'My daughter's a traitor' on the front.
Rachel also lost her beloved father, Raymond Mullen, in 2016 when he was 67. Her Facebook profile picture is a photograph of him walking her up the aisle on her wedding day.
The pair were exceptionally close and she was devastated when he died. Her older brother is Darren Mullen, who was the manager of football club Newry City, and she also has two other brothers, Neil and Shane, and a sister called Joanne.
In a poignant photograph shared during the show, Anne was seen proudly holding up a T-shirt which read 'My daughter's a traitor' on the front
While filming for the show wrapped months ago, Rachel and Stephen are yet to receive their share of the £95,750 prize pot, so Rachel was robbed of treating Anne to a dream holiday
Following Rachel's sad announcement, Dr Hilda Hayo, Chief Admiral Nurse and CEO of Dementia UK offered her condolences whilst thanking Rachel for raising awareness following her mother's death.
She told The Daily Mail: 'We're sorry to hear that Anne has died having lived with Parkinson's and dementia.'
'Everyone at Dementia UK sends our condolences to Anne's family and hope they are receiving the support they need at this difficult time.'
'Through her appearance on The Traitors, Anne's daughter Rachel spoke candidly about her experience of dementia, helping to raise awareness for condition and the way it affects families across the UK.'
'We thank Rachel for her honesty - we know it is not easy to speak publicly about the impact dementia can have, but in doing so she will have encouraged others to reach out for the support they need.'
'We urge families affected by dementia to reach out to our specialist Helpline. Staffed by dementia specialist Admiral Nurses, our Helpline offers support and guidance on all stages of dementia, including grieving for a loved one. Anyone affected by dementia can contact the Helpline by calling 0800 888 6678 or emailing [email protected].'
It cannot be denied that Rachel gave her everything to the show after she revealed to her fellow contestants she had even undergone FBI training prior to taking part.
During the series, Rachel amassed an impressive 89,800 Instagram followers and a further 54,100 followers on TikTok.
On Friday, a celebrity agent told the Daily Mail: 'Rachel is a superstar, she's brilliant and she has been the standout contestant from start to finish.
'She has won millions and millions of fans and showbiz agents know they can make her a fortune. Already they are thinking about what other reality television programmes they can get her on. She has all of the ingredients for stardom.
'In a few days she will be inundated with people wanting to represent her. She has been a household name for the last three weeks and she will continue to be so.'
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