IN November 2022, Radio 1 star Mollie King shared the heartbreaking news of her dad’s death.
Here we take a look into the life of The Saturdays singer and what happened to Mollie’s dad Stephen.
What happened to Mollie King’s dad?
In 2022, Mollie King announced the tragic death of her dad Stephen – just days after she welcomed her baby daughter Anabella.
You have been our hero and it’s impossible to think of our lives without you.
Mollie King
Sharing the devasting news that her dad had died of a brain tumour, Mollie posted a series of snaps to social media and wrote: ”Heartbroken beyond words. In August, my family’s world was shattered when my Dad was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
”Last week, we had to face the day we hoped would never come and say goodbye. Dad, we love you with all our hearts and we will miss you every single day.
”You have been our hero and it’s impossible to think of our lives without you.”
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Mollie’s dad was tragically diagnosed with a tumour during her pregnancy.
The singer and radio star then went on to explain that her dad got the chance to met her baby daughter Annabella.
Mollie added: “You have always been there for us with every step we’ve taken and you even held on a few extra days to meet baby Annabella. You gave us your everything. You will be in our hearts and our memories every single day.”
More than 12,000 Brits are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour every year — of which around half are cancerous — with 5,300 losing their lives.
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The disease is the most deadly cancer in children and adults aged under 40, according to the Brain Tumour Charity.
Brain tumours reduce life expectancies by an average of 27 years, with just 12 per cent of adults surviving five years after diagnosis.
The 9 most common symptoms of a brain tumour
Brain tumours can cause a host of different symptoms – but not everyone knows the signs.
Each year around 12,300 cases of brain cancer are diagnosed in the UK, Cancer Research UK states, and these present in the form of a brain tumour.
The symptoms can often be mistaken for something less serious, like headaches, however, experts say there are some signs that you must be aware of.
The most common symptoms of a brain tumour include:
- Headaches
- Seizures
- Feeling sick
- Vomiting
- Memory problems
- Change in personality
- Vision problems
- Speech problems
- Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
Sometimes you may not have any symptoms to begin with, or they may develop very slowly over time.
If you are suffering any of these symptoms, particularly a headache that feels different from ones you normally get, it is recommended that you visit your GP.
Who is Mollie King?
Mollie King, born June 4, 1987, is an English pop singer, songwriter and radio presenter.
The star, who hails from Wandsworth, London, rose to fame as one-fifth of the pop group The Saturdays, alongside Una Healy, Vanessa White, Frankie Bridge and Rochelle Humes.
The group went on to have four top 10 albums and 13 top 10 singles, including Forever Is Over, Up and Issues.
However, in 2014, the band revealed that they were taking a hiatus.
Since then, Mollie has turned her hand to presenting and is known for hosting on This Morning and Radio 1.
What is Mollie King doing for Red Nose Day?
Friday March 15, 2024, not only marks Red Nose Day – but also Mollie King’s final day of her Comic Relief Pedal Power Challenge.
Over the course of five days, The Radio 1 presenter has swapped her mic for a bike to cycle a staggering 500km across England.
I’m not a strong person but to have got to day five, I was thinking, ‘Mol, you should be proud myself here’.
Mollie King
Mollie is taking on the huge challenge to raise cash for Comic Relief in memory of her late dad and is aiming to get to Hull – Stephen’s hometown.
On Monday, March 11, 2024, the challenge kicked off during the Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Greg James.
Mollie saddled up in London as she began her route to Hull via Towcester, Burton-on-Trent, Manchester and Leeds.
In an exclusive chat as she finished the first 20km stretch, Mollie opened up about how partner Stuart Broad had been keeping her spirits up ahead of the mammoth challenge.
Mollie, who only cycled on a road for the first time six weeks ago, said: “I have been so incredibly nervous in the days leading up to it, I’ve had a bit of a foggy head.
“My partner Stuart was like, ‘It’s cool, it’s pre match nerves’.
“He has been really encouraging and really supportive.”
As she continued the challenge, Mollie told Radio 1 breakfast star Greg James that she feared she wouldn’t make it and broke down in tears as she learned just how much she had raised for Comic Relief.
She said: “It’s tough, it’s really tough. I’m drained I feel like I haven’t had any kind of recovery since getting off the bike.
“My muscles are just like, ‘oh we’re doing this again?’ It’s pretty brutal. I think at the start there was so much excitement and adrenaline that kept me going and now I’m drained. It feels like every push of that peddle feels like more of a struggle.”
Mollie could be heard sobbing into her microphone on the radio and continued: “Salford. The thought of getting there tonight, is that going to happen? It’s just so tiring, it’s so hard.”
Greg told her: “There are horrible lows in these things, but there will be incredible highs. Think of other things, don’t think of Salford.
“The money raised is extraordinary, this might give you the boost that you need for the next half hour.
“The total so far for Peddle Power for Comic Relief is £181,023.”
A tearful Mollie she struggled to speak, but she managed to say: “Oh my gosh, that is unreal. Oh my gosh I needed that today.
“Thank you so much, like seriously. Like this money is unbelievable. Oh my gosh, I’m a mess, I’m crying, I’m snotty.”
As the challenge comes to an end, Mollie has now raised a staggering £1 million for Comic Relief and has reflected on what she’s accomplished so far.
Sitting in the back of a car in her fluorescent jacket, Mollie sobbed: “It’s the first time in ages I’ve really felt proud of myself and I’m quite tough on myself generally but this is so beyond what I’m capable of physically.
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“I’m not a strong person but to have got to day five, I was thinking, ‘Mol, you should be proud myself here’. This is mad.”
To get involved and donate to Mollie’s epic charity challenge, go to comicrelief.com/pedalpower.
