Jake Quickenden reveals son Leo cured his broken heart after dad and brother’s death: ‘He’s filled the void’

Little Leo is the light of Jake’s life (Picture: @jakequickenden14, Instagram)

Jake Quickenden has credited his son Leo for ‘filling the void’ left by the deaths of his father and brother. 

The former Dancing On Ice star became a first time dad earlier this year after welcoming Leo with girlfriend, Sophie Church, in February. 

It came after Jake, 32, suffered double tragedy in his family due to his dad Paul and brother Oliver both dying from cancer. 

Becoming a father himself has now given Jake a new lease of life again after battling through the grief. 

Speaking to The Mirror, the TV star said: ‘Having Leo has completely changed my life. I can’t even put into words how much love I have for him.

‘Losing my dad and brother was obviously the worst thing to happen to me but I’ve always tried to find the positives. 

‘One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to live every day like there is no promise of tomorrow and that’s what I want to pass on to Leo. All I want is for him to be happy and healthy.’ 

Jake added that he’s ‘always felt a void in my heart, losing my dad and brother’ but that ‘Leo has filled that’.

Prior to Leo’s arrival, the former X Factor star had ‘struggled to be completely happy’ but now has a reason to get up in the mornings, with Sophie, Leo and his stepson Fred, to look after. 

‘Their happiness is my number one priority – and my focus now is stepping up as a dad,’ Jake said. 

‘My dad was taken away quite early so I want to make as many amazing memories with Leo and Fred as I can,’ he added. 

Jake recently marked what would have been his brother Oliver’s birthday on July 16.

Jake is looking forward to creating a lifetime of memories with Leo (Picture: @jakequickenden14, Instagram)

He shared a sweet childhood photo of them together with the caption: ‘Happy heavenly birthday Oliver!! I miss you so much mate, you would have been the best uncle to Leo and don’t worry I will tell him how amazing you was and how you would have laughed together.

‘I’m sorry I couldn’t stop you from leaving, I was supposed to protect you and I couldn’t, if I could change places with you I would in a heartbeat, you had so much to give, a better version of me but you was taken from us all and it still hurts like nothing I can explain. Everything I do is for you I hope you.’

Jake continued: ‘Everything I do is for you I hope you can see me and I hope I make you proud my brother. You will always be at my side guiding me and helping me become better.

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‘Love you and miss you every second of the day! Until we meet again my friend love you.’

The first five months of Leo’s life haven’t been smooth sailing with the tot subjected to vile trolling over his looks on social media, while also having to undergo a hernia operation.

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