Former I'm A Celebrity star Barry McGuigan is grappling with the unfathomable pain of losing his beloved daughter to cancer. This heart-wrenching journey has left an indelible mark on his life and that of his family. A Father's Unending Struggle After Losing His Child to Cancer
Danika's Battle with Cancer
Danika, an actress known for her role in Can't Cope, Won't Cope, was a remarkable individual. She first faced the cruel battle with leukaemia at the tender age of 11. After a two-year fight, she emerged victorious, only to face the same adversary again years later. At 33, she was diagnosed with cancer for the second time and fought bravely until her last breath. Just a month after complaining of stomach pains, she passed away in July 2019. It was a shock that no one saw coming. Barry described her as a "great kid" with a "tough life all her life."During her first battle, hearing the diagnosis was like a "sledgehammer" to Barry. In 2005, he recalled the shock in an interview. But in 2011, he told the Mirror that Nika was "incredibly strong and positive" throughout the ordeal. Her willpower was something he had never witnessed before.The Impact on Barry and the Family
Speaking on The Tommy Tiernan Show in 2022, Barry fought back tears as he recounted his daughter's death. He said, "I'll never recover from it. My life will go on but I'll never be the same because family means everything to me." At the time of Danika's death, the family released a statement expressing their devastation. They asked for privacy during this difficult period to grieve.Nika's brother, Shane, also shared his memories on X. He said, "It breaks my heart to write this. My beautiful sister Danika lost her battle with cancer in the early hours of Tuesday morning, at the young age of 33. She overcame it once with a two-year fight when she was 11 to 13. Myself, my brothers & parents were privileged to have another 20 years since the first battle with our amazing Nika. Unfortunately, Nika couldn't beat it again, but she fought so bravely until the end."Barry has three other children - Shane, Jake, and Blane - with his wife Sandra. This loss has touched the lives of not only Danika but the entire family.Barry's story is a poignant reminder of the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable tragedy. It is a story that will stay with us, a testament to the power of love and the pain of loss.
