Stacey Dooley devastated as TV show friend dies aged just 29

Warning: this article contains discussions of cancer

Stacey Dooley has shared a heart-breaking update after her friend passed away.

The presenter, 36, first met Jemma McGowan, 29, when filming a documentary which featured the mum and her experience with ovarian cancer.

Tragically though, the 29-year-old has passed away this week, with Dooley among those paying tribute to her.

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Dooley had been aware of McGowan’s stage 4 diagnosis for some time, having filmed Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over with her last August.

The tear-jerking episode, called Mum Fighting the Clock, focused on McGowan's life as a terminally ill mum-of-three.

Sharing a clip from the show, Dooley recalled the time they’d spent together in a touching tribute on Instagram yesterday (3 August).

She wrote: “Fly high darlin'. Thank you for being so kind and so so FUN. Thinking of her Clive and her gorgeous babies.”

The former Strictly star also shared a similar post on her Story, which spoke about their friendship during McGowan's final months.

"Just heartbreaking. Jemma was a joy to work alongside and we continued our relationship as pals," she told her followers.

“Coincidentally, our film airs this evening where we reflect on our time spent with Jemma. She knew it was coming out in August and was keen to hear all about it. Fly high darlin.”

It seems the presenter wasn’t the only one who felt a strong connection.

Instagram/@sjdooley

Back in February, McGowan, who lived in Omagh in Northern Ireland, gushed about the presenter on social media, writing: “So, our secret is out. I made a new forever friend @sjdooley and we made a tv documentary together. It really was an emotional rollercoaster.”

Sadly though, McGowan passed away earlier this week from a rare form of ovarian cancer.

McGowan was first diagnosed with the disease back in 2016, while six weeks pregnant with her second child.

Eager to see her children grow up, the mum underwent surgery shortly after this and had no further symptoms for four years.

Tragically though, she discovered a lump while 36 weeks pregnant with her third child.

Despite doctors previously assuring her that she would remain cancer free, McGowan was later diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer.

A memorial service will take place for McGowan on Sunday (8 August).