Fleur East opens up on grieving for her late dad: ‘It’s going to be hard to adjust to normal life’

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The X Factor star Fleur East has revealed that she finds the end of lockdown daunting because it reminds her of the death of her father Malcolm ‘Max’ East.

Speaking to hosts Rylan Clarke Neal and Alex Jones on The One Show tonight, the 32-year-old explained that she is still dealing with the loss of her dad, who died in March of last year.

‘It’s quite daunting coming out of lockdown for so many reasons but especially because we lost my dad at the start of the pandemic so for us we relate going into lockdown with the loss of my dad,’ she shared.

‘So we’ve had, in some ways, the fortunate time of being able to grieve in private and not having to face everyone.

‘But it almost feels like the world has stopped with our grief and now, when the world goes back to normal, it’s going to be weird to adjust to normal life without my dad because I haven’t experienced that. It’s a scary thought actually doing that.’

Fleur revealed that she has started playing golf, which has helped her become closer with her uncle and has helped her with her grief.

‘Before now it was always boring chat with my uncle about golf and I wasn’t interested at all but now we’re booking in dates to go and play together, so we’ve got a new relationship,’ she said.

The singer took up the sport to help encourage other women to do the same and raise the profile of female golfers. Doing so has had the added benefit of bringing her and her uncle closer.

When her father passed away Fleur posted a lovely message to Instagram honouring her dad.

Crediting Malcolm with ‘swagger in abundance’, ’an unforgettable presence’ and being ‘loved by so many’, expressed her loss in a positive, loving way.

‘Daddy East, Max, the ultimate G!’ she wrote. ‘What a man you were! So young at heart, always living in the moment!’

‘You were always my biggest fan! Cheering me on until the end. You taught me and [sister] Keshia to be confident and to always chase our dreams. I will forever continue to make you proud. I’m so happy you saw us achieve so much.’

She went on to promise she’d devote all of her future work and success – including her new album, Fearless, which was released March 20 – to her lovely dad.

‘Every note I sing, every song I write and everything I do, will be for you. This album is for you Dad. Love you so much Daddy Darling. Have an amazing time up there! See you soon’.

The One Show airs weeknights from 7pm on BBC One.

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