‘Sleep well King’
Brenda Edwards’ Loose Women co-stars are surrounding her with love and support after the tragic death of her son Jamal
The Loose Women panellists are so much more than colleagues, as they proved last week when they rallied around Brenda Edwards in the wake of her beloved son’s death. On the day after Jamal’s tragic death at the age of 31, Judi Love and Charlene White rushed to Brenda’s side and will, no doubt, continue to support their friend in any way they can as she plans his funeral.
After hearing of the tragedy, Judi said, “I’m sending love and support to my friend Brenda Edwards and her daughter Tanisha after the loss of her beautiful son, Jamal. Brenda, all we can do is be here for you and Tanisha in whatever capacity you need. Jamal Edwards is a national treasure.
“His work and compassion to help people achieve their dreams and building opportunities for people in music, education and business was endless… He will be missed forever, but his legacy will forever live on.” She added, “Sleep well King.”
The Loose Women stars shared their tributes to the entrepreneur and Youtube star live on air. Charlene fought back tears as she said, “Any of you who regularly watch the show will know the love that Brenda had for Jamal and daughter Tanisha was massive. Her heart was full of so much love for those children. You’ll know just how shocked Brenda is and just how hard it’s hit all of us who knew him and all of us who love Brenda.”
Linda Robson added, “Brenda did such a good job with her son. He was a gentleman.”
Janet Street-porter said, “Nothing prepares you for that moment of someone so close to you dying, you go through so many emotions. I just know that Brenda knows that we love her so much and that we are there for her in any way that we can be.”
Gloria Hunniford, who lost her daughter Caron Keating to cancer in 2004, said, “I believe that losing a child takes you to a depth of sadness that you never knew you had. To carry that child for nine months, to give birth to that child, to adore that child, to look after that child, for 31 years in Jamal’s case, it’s just unbearable.”
Brenda issued a statement last Monday confirming her loss after news of Jamal’s death was posted online. The 52-year-old West End star announced, “It is with the deepest heartache that I confirm that my beautiful son Jamal Edwards passed away yesterday morning after a sudden illness.
“Myself, his sister Tanisha and the rest of his family and friends are completely devastated. He was the centre of our world.
“As we come to terms with his passing, we ask for privacy to grieve this unimaginable loss. I would like to thank everyone for their messages of love and support.
“Jamal was an inspiration to myself and so many. Our love for him lives on, his legacy lives on. Long live Jamal Edwards MBE, MBA, PHD.”
Jamal was the founder of SBTV, an online grime and rap music platform which helped launch the careers of Jessie J, Ed Sheeran and Dave, among others. He first got into filmmaking at the age of 15 on a £200 camcorder in his bedroom.
At the time of going to press, the cause of his death remained unconfirmed.
Brenda took part in a vigil for her music mogul son in Acton, west London, where she sang the Whitney Houston hit, Greatest Love Of All, and shared a gorgeous, neverbefore-seen photo of herself and Jamal with Tanisha, which was simply captioned with a red love heart emoji.
RIP Jamal.
‘HE WILL BE MISSED FOREVER, BUT HIS LEGACY WILL FOREVER LIVE ON’