Holly Hagan has announced the death of her sister Darci Rose at the age of just 19.
The former Geordie Shore star, 33, penned a statement on Tuesday saying that her family are ‘traumatised in every sense of the word’ by the heartbreaking loss.
The TV personality’s Instagram post thanked ambulance services and the Manchester Royal Infirmary for giving her younger sister ‘the best chance’.
Half-sisters Holly and Darci, who lived mostly out of the spotlight, share mother Vicki but have different fathers
Holly Hagan wrote in her post: ‘It is with immeasurable grief and sadness that our baby girl, my baby sister Darci Rose passed away peacefully holding my hand surrounded by family & her best friends. She was never in any pain.
‘The last four days have been something I hope no family ever has to go through. We are traumatised in every sense of the word. One day we will share Darci’s story.
‘But for now I please ask that you do respect our privacy and allow us to process what has happened.
‘To the incredible ambulance crew, and everyone at Manchester royal infirmary ASE & ICU, thank you so much for giving my sister the absolute best chance.
‘Because of you all we have had the opportunity to hold her hand, stroke her hair and feel her heart beating for the last time. We will forever be grateful for the way you have looked after her and us throughout this unimaginable process.
‘Right now my job is to support my family in any way that I can to ensure they don’t have to worry about work / finances.
‘Any posts you see this month are pre recorded and scheduled ahead of time. I will be continuing to work so they do not have to.
‘Darci is so beautiful and she genuinely didn’t even realise it. I always told her she’d look better without the huge spider lashes but we all know what a hypocrite I was being since I wore 9 pairs at her age!
‘She lived in Darci world, forgetting to turn lights off, didn’t know how to lock doors after coming in from a night out, leaving the freezer open so my mam came down to a puddle of defrosted food
‘She was the best aunty, Alpha-Jax adored her. She spent his whole birthday on the bouncy castle with AJ and alba, and that’s a memory I’ll cherish forever.
‘She wanted to go into social work, after finding a passion for helping children. And I just know she’s looking after all the babies up there
‘I don’t know if I’m behaving in a way I assumed I would when grieving but I genuinely feel she has given me so much strength and is watching over us all as our guardian angel. We love you so much baby girl. Forever 19.’
Back in 2021 Holly penned a sweet message to her sister for her 16th birthday.
Sharing a series of snaps of them together she wrote in the caption: ‘Happy 16th birthday to my not so little sister Darci. Love you so much twinny.’
Holly previously spoke about Darci in her autobiography.
Writing in her book Not Quite A Geordie, Holly said: ‘When my sister Darci was born, I loved her, but she was too small for me to even bother with at that stage.
‘It was only when she was a little bit older, when I would babysit, that I could really enjoy having fun with her.
‘But when she was first born, she would cry and scream and keep the whole house awake. Honestly, she was the worst baby ever. I don’t think she slept for two years!
‘All night long she would let out blood-curdling shrieks at the top of her voice.’
Under her post about Darci’s death, her friends offered words of support.
Her Geordie Shore co-star Nathan Henry penned: ‘Holly, im so so sorry for you and your families loss. I’m sending you all love and hugs xxxxxx.’
Kelsey Parked wrote: ‘sending you so much love xxxx.’
Charlotte Crosby said: ‘I’m blessed to have known such a beautiful girl! Alpha Jaxs birthday will be how I will remember your beautiful sister Darci. Alba spent all day playing with her!
‘She naturally gravitated to her because Darci radiated warmth and sunshine! So kind and caring. Reading this post has broke my heart. I love you so much Holly sending so much love to you your mam and John.’
Love Island’s Shaughna Phillips said: ‘Oh holly I can’t believe what I’m reading. I am so so sorry for yours and your families loss, sending you all the love and prayers in the world xxxxxxx.’
TOWIE’s Amber Turner said: ‘So sorry for your loss, sending love and prayers to you & your family.’
Sophie Kasaei, Holly’s friend and former co-star commented: ‘A family should never have to go through this ever. I wish I could take this pain away my amazing Holly. Darci was and is an angel and will always be guiding you and your family.
‘You have strength I admire and I’m so proud of you for having to keep the family together. I love you endlessly and we will be there for you through this journey of grief. Our angel Beautiful Darci.’
Holly is married to footballer Jacob Blyth. They welcomed son Alpha-Jax, now two, in June 2023.
She shot to fame on reality TV series Geordie Shore in 2011 when she was just 18.