Beverley Lyons
STRICTLY and Holby City star Joe McFadden said it was ‘emotional’ as he paid tribute to his late mum Frances and celebrated Mother’s Day with 400 women at a charity lunch.
Govanhill lad Joe was guest of honour alongside Kaye Adams, Nadia Sawalha and John Amabile at the Beatson Cancer Charity ladies lunch in Glasgow’s Doubletree Hilton when he spoke about his late mother.
He said: “Hearing everyone’s stories really brought home what an amazing hospital The Beatson is. I’ve had family members here before so I know how brilliant they are.”
Joe revealed that his late mother Frances spent time at the Beatson before she passed away in November 2008.
He said: “My mum was here and sadly we lost her ten years ago now. When you are in a situation like that it’s really nice to know that the doctors really know what they are doing. At that place there is such an air of professionalism and confidence and they didn’t just look after her really well, they also took care of us, the family. It’s a brilliant place and a little bit of an emotional time because it’s Mother’s Day and everyone is out with their mums. It’s a day of celebration and everyone is celebrating mums and it’s such a brilliant hospital.
He added: “I like to think my mums here today anyway.”
The former Holby City actor who won this years Strictly said he’s been trying to retain his physical fitness since ending the live shows. He added: “I’ve just sort of being enjoying not aching, having legs that don’t hurt and enjoying doing things like this.
I’ve got a little bit of physical fitness I don’t want to disappear. It was quite hard to come by. Katya did her best to make sure I was fit so I’m keen to keep that going.”
Speaking of future work he added: “I’ve got some very exciting things in the pipeline.”
The luncheon was hoping to beat last year’s total of £14,000.