EastEnders star Dean Gaffney says he will be ‘haunted forever’ as he recalls finding beloved mother Marion dead in an heartbreaking tribute marking one year since her tragic passing

EastEnders’ Dean Gaffney said he will be “forever haunted” after finding his beloved mother Marion dead after suffering a sudden heart attack last year.

The 46-year-old actor, who played Robbie Jackson in the soap, posted a message on Instagram to mark the 12-month anniversary of her passing, paying tribute and calling the tragic discovery the “worst thing” that has ever happened to him.

Dean explained that he was picking up his mother for Sunday lunch when he found her unconscious.

Alongside a photo of Marion, the actor shared a lengthy message explaining how the loss had made him realise how fragile life can be.

Writing: ‘So, one year ago today, the worst thing ever happened to me. Even though it’s the only inevitable thing in life, losing a parent, when it happens, oh wow.’

‘Nothing prepared me for picking up my mother for a routine Sunday roast and finding her dead. What I saw will remain private but it will haunt me forever. Sudden heart attacks are a thing. One day you can be here, the next day gone, literally it’s that simple.’

“I’m not one to share my sadness on social media. I just wanted to say that it’s been a tough year for me and maybe I’ve done things that aren’t my style. Sadness affects me in many ways.”

“Mom, the legacy you left behind is what gets me out of bed every day. You touched people’s hearts and you were selfless until the end.

Before adding: “We raise our glasses to you today. I love you and miss you today, tomorrow and forever.”

Celebrity friends, including fellow soap stars, rushed to the comments to send Dean their best wishes and words of comfort.

His sister Natalie Cassidy, who plays Sonia Fowler, wrote: “I love you so much.”

Tamzin Outhwaite, Charlie Books, Danny Dyer and Jake Wood all posted red heart emojis of sympathy.

Terri Dwyer responded: “I’m so sorry for your loss Dean, it’s so sad.”

Gemma Bissex said: ‘Oh Dean, sending you so much love my friend’.

Andy Whyment from Corrie wrote: ‘Send me love, mate’.

And Emmerdale’s Danny Miller added: ‘Sending all my love my friend. I love you brother.’

Darren Day responded: ‘Sending love mate’

Last year, Dean posted the news on Instagram after finding Marion ‘sleeping’.

Along with a photo of himself and his mother, he wrote: ‘I am devastated to announce that my beautiful, selfless mother Marian has sadly passed away.

“I was, am and always will be a mama’s girl so this news has completely blown my mind. I spoke to her every day and in some ways I’m glad I was the one who found her sleeping.

Dean continued, “I will cherish all the wonderful memories we had together. I understand that everyone will feel this pain at some point in their lives, but life can be very cruel sometimes.

‘The realization that I will never be able to physically see or speak to her again surpasses any pain I have ever felt in my life.

‘We all tell our parents and loved ones at the end of a phone call that we love them, but please tell them that you really do love them… put that phone away when you’re with them, because my mother’s only criticism of me was that I was on my phone when she was with me. Life really does change in an instant.

He added: ‘I really love you, Mom. You don’t just have a special place in my heart, you are my heart.’

“For all of you who knew her, I don’t need to remind you of who my mother was as a person, for those who don’t, she was the most amazing selfless, caring, generous soul that ever walked this earth. Mom, I love you so much.