Imelda May has announced her father has died (Picture: Imelda May/ Instagram)
Imelda May has announced that her father has died aged 91.
The Irish singer-songwriter, 48, shared the news on social media early on Sunday morning.
‘Our dearest father Tony Clabby has passed away on this fine day, the 12th day of Christmas, Nollaig na mBán, Little Christmas, the Epihany, and the day of the Kings, after three sacred days of gathering, holding, laughing, accepting, harmonising and loving he passed gently,’ she wrote on Instagram.
Alongside a series of photos with her father, which included ones of them together when she was younger, at an event and with their family, Imelda wrote they were ‘heartbroken but truly grateful’.
‘More than anyone I’ve ever met, Dad was pure LOVE,’ she continued.
‘As he said himself only hours ago, he’s had a great time, it’s time to go easy, it’s time to go to Madge. And true love lives forever.’
Her post was flooded with messages of support following the death of her dad, Tony Clabby (Picture: Imelda May/ Instagram)
She then went on to thank the ‘absolute angels’ who cared for him at St James’ Hospital in Dublin.
The performer’s mother Madge died in November 2021.
Her post was quickly flooded with messages of support, including from Laura Whitmore, who wrote: ‘Ah Imelda I’m so sorry. What an amazing man, and you and your family are his legacy xxx.’
The singer’s mother Madge died in 2021 (Picture: Imelda May/ Instagram)
This Morning’s Dermot O’Leary added: ‘So sorry Imelda, all the love, candles lit, flags at half-mast.’
Jedward wrote: ‘This is heartbreaking Imelda. What a kind and gentle soul he was. We can just hear his laugh now.
‘It was always wonderful to meet him! He was such a character and gentleman. Rest in peace Tony.’
Last year Imelda said life without her mother ‘wasn’t the same’ (Picture: Dave Benett/WireImage)
Last year, Imelda spoke about the heartbreaking loss of her mother and how much she and her father missed her.
Speaking to Ray D’Arcy on RTE Radio One, she said: ‘We just miss her like mad. We love her so much.
‘Life is not the same without her and she was a very strong character and funny as hell and very loving. It’s just not the same.
‘It’s my mammy. I always thought she would live forever. You don’t want them to ever go away. I just loved her so much.’
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‘More than anyone I’ve ever met, Dad was pure love.’
