How Brenda Edwards Was 'Robbed' Of The Chance To Announce Her Son's Death
Topics: Celebrity, Loose Women, ITV, Music
Lucy Devine
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/Jamal Edwards
Topics: Celebrity, Loose Women, ITV, Music
Loose Women panellist Charlene White has revealed how her close friend Brenda Edwards was unable to announce the death of her son, Jamal Edwards.
During Monday's episode of Loose Women, Charlene - alongside Judi Love, Frankie Bridge, Linda Robson and Carol McGiffin - paid tribute to 31-year-old Jamal, who sadly passed away on Sunday.
At the beginning of the show, Charlene read out a statement from Brenda, but explained that due to 'various people on social media' Brenda had not been able to announce the sad news herself.
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"Brenda gave a statement this morning which I'll read some of," said Charlene.
"And the reason why I'm going to read some is because the opportunity to share Brenda's loss and the family's loss, that was taken away from Brenda because of various people on social media who decided to tell Brenda's story and to tell Jamal's story without consulting Brenda.
"Which was not fair in any way shape or form. We understand that Jamal's incredible work was done through social media and done online... he is a powerhouse, he changed the UK music scene, one man changed the UK music scene in a way that we've not seen for generations, he was huge.
"But what people have to understand is there is work life, and there's family life, and there is home life. And it should have been Brenda who was able to choose when she wanted the world to know about her loss, and that was taken away from her."
Viewers at home were devastated for Brenda, with one person writing on Twitter: "Lesson to everyone. Stop leaking people's deaths on social media if the family haven't spoken. Brenda wanted to share it and release it on her own terms but it was taken away from her.
"That has been acknowledged. You're not more important than family even if you were close."
While another said: "So sad that Brenda didn’t get to share the news when she wanted and that was robbed from her because people wanted to run and post it on social media. Praying for his mum, sister, family and friends 🙏🏽❤️."
Jamal was known for his media platform SBTV, helping to launch some of the most successful careers in music, including Dave and Ed Sheeran.
Jamal was also a DJ, designer, author and director, and was awarded an MBE for his contribution to music at age 24.
Releasing a statement about the loss of Jamal, Brenda described her son as the 'centre of [her] world'.
“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," she wrote.
“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."
Our thoughts are with Brenda and the whole family.