Stacey Dooley left ‘heartbroken’ by death of co-star and pal, 29, as she shares moving

Stacey Dooley has been left ‘heartbroken’ following the death of Jemma McGowan who appeared on her show Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over.

The mum-of-three passed away from a battle with a rare form of ovarian cancer aged just 29 earlier this week, after meeting Stacey while filming the episode, called Mum Fighting The Clock, in February, before the show aired on W network in April.

Stacey, 36, took to her Instagram on Thursday to pay a heartfelt tribute, just hours after she spoke about her late friend in a retrospective episode Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, in which she reflected on past episodes with her partner Kevin Clifton.

Alongside a sweet selfie with Jemma, Stacey penned: ‘Just heartbreaking, Jemma was a joy to work with and we continued our relationship as pals. I’m thinking of her [husband] Clive and her gorgeous babies’.

‘Coincidentally, our film airs this evening where we reflect on our time spent with Jemma. She knew it was coming out in August and was keen to hear all about it. Fly high darlin’.’

Heartbroken: Stacey Dooley (L) has been left ‘heartbroken’ following the death of Jemma McGowan (R) who appeared on her show Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over

Tribute: Stacey, 36, became close to Jemma following their first meeting and took to her Instagram on Thursday with a heartfelt tribute

RIP: The mum-of-three passed away aged just 29 after featuring on the star’s W show as she battled a very rare form of ovarian cancer

Jemma, from Northern Ireland, was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2016 while six weeks pregnant with her second child.

After surgery she was told by doctors it wouldn’t return. But tragically she was struck down with the disease once again in January 2021. Jemma found a lump on her body during her pregnancy before being told she had stage 4 ovarian cancer.

She wrote on Instagram: ‘I had a really bad pain on my left side. I went to the GP and he thought I was having an ectopic pregnancy and sent me straight to A&E.

‘They told me the baby was fine but I needed keyhole surgery to remove a fibroid on my ovary when I was 17 weeks pregnant.

‘They discovered it was cancer, but had said it was low grade stage 1, so I put it behind me and continued on with my life.’

She did not experience any further symptoms over the next four years, but when she was 36 weeks pregnant with her third child, she discovered a lump in January 2021.

After revealing her concerns to a midwife, she was fast-tracked an MRI scan and admitted hospital to receive steroids and get her baby ready for an early planned C section, which took place weeks later.

Just 24 hours after giving birth, Jemma was told her cancer had returned, this time having a tumour in her left lung and multiple tumours in her pelvic and pubic bones.

Shock: Jemma had three rounds of two different types of chemotherapy in Belfast, which caused side effects such as her hair falling out and vomiting

She said: ‘The words that stand out to me were: incurable, aggressive and acting unusually. I started chemotherapy when Betty was just two-weeks-old, but I was not prepared to give up and tell my babies that I’m going to die…

‘I knew then I was going to fight this.’

Jemma had three rounds of two different types of chemotherapy in Belfast, which caused side effects such as her hair falling out and vomiting.

In May 2021, oncologists discovered three new tumours growing in her body and explained that as the chemo wasn’t working, they wouldn’t be able to continue her treatment, giving her three to 15 months to live.

She said: ‘Chemotherapy made me very ill. It nearly killed me twice. And my tumours were growing when doctors said that it was unethical to continue…

‘They eventually offered five rounds of pain management radiotherapy, but the side effects included never having sex again, needing a bladder bag, a bile bag and major surgery.

Heartbreaking: In May 2021, oncologists discovered three new tumours growing in her body and explained that as the chemo wasn’t working, they wouldn’t be able to continue her treatment, giving her three to 15 months to live

‘Why would I put myself through five rounds for pain relief when my pain is generally not that bad? Plus, I’m not giving up on my sex life, I’ve given up on everything else. I need something!

‘I fought for high dose radiotherapy, and I eventually won 20 rounds. I want to see my children grow up. I’m not asking to be a granny. I just want to be a mummy. I don’t want forever, I just want more time, so why wouldn’t I give everything a go?’

She revealed that she was frequently trolled for looking too healthy and was even accused of faking her cancer by vile keyboard warriors.

Jemma said: ‘I get sent at least one nasty comment per week on social media. I regularly get told that I’m faking having cancer. And there’s someone else who keeps telling me that I don’t have terminal cancer as I look too good to be ill…

‘I don’t really get upset or let it get to me as what they’re saying isn’t true. Strangers don’t know what they’re talking about. I feel like writing back ‘what more proof do you want? Do you want my blood? If I could give it to you, I would!..

Why would I put myself through five rounds for pain relief when my pain is generally not that bad? Plus, I’m not giving up on my sex life, I’ve given up on everything else. I need something!

Devastation: Jemma, from Northern Ireland, was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2016 while six weeks pregnant with her second child

A further announcement on social media revealed a Service of Thanksgiving will take place for Jemma with family and friends on Sunday.

The notice read: ‘The death has taken place of Jemma Ingrid McGowan, at her home, in Omagh, in the warm embrace of her beloved family. Formerly from Stewartstown. 16th December 1993 – 3rd August 2023.

‘A cherished daughter of John Howie (Debbie) and Tracy Megaw (David).

‘Beloved wife and soulmate of Clive, a precious and caring mother of Sadie, Louis and Betty, loving sister of Amy, Oliver, Anna, Matthew, stepsister of Rachel and Ruth.

‘A much-loved daughter-in-law of Walter & Maxine, dear sister-in-law of Karl (Carrie), Darren (Jill) and Lloyd (Aimee).

‘Friends welcome to call at her late home on Friday and Saturday between 12 noon- 8pm. Today and Sunday the family home will be strictly private.

‘Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Jemma will be held in Cappagh Parish Church on Sunday at 2:00pm followed by interment in adjoining graveyard.

‘Please take the time to share your condolences/ memories of Jemma, in the condolence book below, which will be safely kept for Jemma’s children to read in the future.

‘These messages will help Sadie, Louis and Betty to remember just how special Jemma was to everyone. Family flowers only please.’

Ill health: After undergoing surgery she was told by doctors it wouldn’t return however sadly she was struck down with the disease once again in January 2021