Gemma Atkinson recalls final moments with her father on 21st anniversary of his death

Gemma Atkinson has shared a heartbreaking tribute to her father on the 21st anniversary of his death.

The former Hollyoaks and Emmerdale actress, 38, was just 17 year’s old when her father David died aged 52 from a heart attack, leaving her “completely broken”.

She took to Instagram to mark the sombre milestone by uploading a picture of her father with his arms around her when she was a little girl.

Recalling the last time she saw him alive, Atkinson wrote in the caption: “Twenty-one years ago today I sat by your hospital bed sharing a Mars Bar & laughing.

“You were due to come home the following day. I gave you a kiss, said I’d see you tomorrow and left.

“A few hours later the hospital rang mum to tell her you had passed away. A heart attack in I your sleep.

“My world shattered then and there. Completely broken.”

Atkinson, who is pregnant with her second child with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Gorka Marquez, also expressed her sadness that her father would never get to meet her children or walk her down the aisle.

She wrote: “Although my life is pretty amazing now, there’s still that void that you left. There always will be, because I imagined you’d be here forever.

“To at least meet your grandchildren & one day walk me down the aisle. Having to remember you longer than I had you here is a weird feeling, but I’m always grateful & thankful for the wonderful 17 yrs I had you in my life Dad.”

The Bury-born star added: “Seventeen yrs of feeling safe, loved, protected & happy. The best dad in every way. Today we miss you more than most, but we can sit and laugh talking now about you, and I know you’re regularly ear wigging and watching us all too.

“I feel it often and it’s always a comfort.”