Louis Tomlinson's mother Johannah Deakin dies after leukaemia battle aged 43

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Louis Tomlinson and Johannah DeakinImage source, Getty Images

One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson's mother has died from leukaemia aged 43.

Johannah Deakin passed away on Wednesday at Sheffield's Royal Hallamshire Hospital.

Earlier this year she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of the blood cancer and had been at a hospital in London since May.

She had seven children and worked as a midwife. Her partner Dan said in a statement that "she would always look to put other people before herself".

Johannah split from her ex-partner, Mark Tomlinson, around the time that Louis was auditioning for The X Factor in 2010 after they'd had four children together.

She had 24-year-old Louis with first husband Troy Austin.

Louis kept first step-dad Mark Tomlinson's surname but his mum remarried last year.

Johannah became a grandmother after Louis' former partner Briana Jungwirth gave birth to his first child, Freddie, in January.

The One Direction singer split from the US model before Freddie was born and is now in a new relationship.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Three of Louis' sisters attended a film premiere with their mum last year

He's due to sing his new solo material at The X Factor final on Sunday, a performance which is still thought to be going ahead.

The family statement on Johannah continues: "She desired nothing more than for everyone around her to be happy and loving.

"She worked tirelessly on numerous charity campaigns, creating memories for many individuals and their families.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Louis Tomlinson's mother gave birth to him when she was 18

"It wasn't uncommon for Johannah to hear through the media of an individual in need of assistance.

"She would immediately make it her objective to get that person what they often desperately needed, and rarely without success."

The family has asked for privacy and space in the weeks ahead.

Louis' sister Felicite tweeted a picture of a broken heart early on Thursday morning.

Cheryl, who's dating Louis' One Direction bandmate Liam Payne, expressed her sympathies for his loss.

Liam himself posted an Instagram message to his "brother".

And former bandmate Zayn Malik said Louis was in his thoughts.

Mentor and X Factor judge Simon Cowell paid his respects.

Johannah married her current partner Dan Deakin in 2015.

He said she was "simply the perfect wife and best friend to face each day with".

Image source, Johannah Deakin Family

"I thoroughly loved walking through life with her, and though five years was far too short a time, during that time we had so many lifetimes worth of happiness, adventures and memories."

The family also thanked University College London Hospital where Johannah had been treated since May and the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, where she'd been cared for during her final weeks.

As well as Louis, Johannah leaves behind six other children - Lottie, 18, Felicite, 16, plus two sets of twins, Phoebe and Daisy, 12, and two-year-olds Ernest and Doris.

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