A TRUE STAR IN THEIR EYES
Singer Tony backs grieving TV double
POP idol Tony Hadley helped to comfort the fan who impersonated him on Stars in Their Eyes after his daughter died tragically aged five.
The former Spandau Ballet singer backed Ivan Mornington to win when he performed Through the Barricades on the hit ITV show in 2000, filming a video link to say good luck.
And 17 years later the star was still supporting him... by unveiling a garden dedicated to Ivan’s daughter Violet.
The youngster died of a rare blood disorder after falling ill with suspected tonsillitis on her birthday.
Grieving Ivan, 40, said: “I’ve been a lifelong fan though I’d never actually met Tony. We were hugely touched when he wrote to us after Violet died.
“And it was wonderful to finally get to meet him, although it was in the wrong circumstances.”
He and wife Kerry, 50, set up a charity Violet In Blooms to raise funds for other bereaved families after their daughter’s death in 2013 from hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, HLH, which causes white blood cells to attack the body. Tony, 57, wrote them a letter of condolence and promised to help them launch the memorial garden close to her grave.
And last week he drove his wife Alison and children to Lichfield, Staffs, for the ceremony.
Tony told The People: “It’s every parent’s nightmare and I can’t imagine what they have gone through. Most people would go to pieces.
“I’d come across Ivan when he performed as me on Stars in Their Eyes years ago and when I heard about Ivan and nd Kerry’s loss I wanted to help in someme small way.
“It’s weirdd how these things happenn – meeting like that. What at they have done to makeke such a beautiful gardenrden is a real inspiration. on.
“It’s the type pe of place that would be e of comfort to children.” en.”
Violet was wearing her favouriteurite Spider-Man pyjamas whenen s he died – inspiring thee superherothemed garden. Her parents’ grief was eased by the birth of triplets Jacob, Millie and Florence last January. Ivan said: “They certainly keep us busy and are a distraction when we start to think about what happened. They’re like mini Violets.” Kerry – also mum to Matty, 30, Mollie and Cailtin, both 20, and stepmum to Ivan’s daughter Beth, 23 – said: “It’s lovely that she is now living on in our triplets.” Tony, about to begin a month-long solo tour of the US, said: “For Ivan and Kerry to make th this happen in the midst of what they are going through is inc incredible and I’m full of admi admiration. It’s the most wonderfulwonde tribute to their daugh daughter. “Seeing f i ve doves released and the multicoloured b balloons was so touching. The great thing was that i it was a celebration and w wasn’t morbid.” Ivan said: “After everyt everything we’ve been thro through, to have To Tony on board sh shows the measu ure of the man.”