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Phil Spencer’s siblings recall ‘idyllic’ childhood after parents’ tragic death-Meghna Amin-Entertainment – Metro
‘They would have never left the farmhouse, which will always be the hub of the family.’
Phil Spencer’s parents tragically died in an accident on Friday (Picture: Getty/Instagram/Phil Spencer)
Phil Spencer and his siblings have spoken out after his parents’ tragically died in an accident on Friday.
It was revealed on Saturday (August 19) that Phil’s dad Richard, 89, and mum Anne, 82, died on Friday, when a car veered off the road and into a stream.
The Location, Location, Location presenter went on to share details of the horrific event in a post on Instagram, while his co-star Kirstie Allsopp paid tribute as other celebrities shared their messages of support.
Phil’s siblings have now spoken out about the sad news, after their parents died on their farm estate, when they were on their way to a pub for lunch.
Richard, who had dementia, and Anne, who had Parkinson’s, were pulled from the car and rushed to hospital by emergency services, where he was pronounced dead and she died shortly afterwards.
Speaking about their parents, Phil’s sister Helen recalled David buying Lower Garrington Farm after meeting his soon-to-be wife Anne in the early 1960s.
Helen said: ‘It was a step into the unknown for him.
‘The farmhouse was a bit of a state back then but Dad apparently showed it to Mum before asking her to marry him.
Anne and Richard’s children have recalled their ‘idyllic’ childhood (Picture: Facebook)
‘It clearly didn’t put her off and they were married at Canterbury Cathedral on November 4, 1964.’
Robert, who took over the farm when David retired, went on to KentOnline: ‘It was a mixed farm back then with a bit of everything going on, so Dad had very little downtime and was grateful for all the help he got from fellow farmers when he was starting out.
‘His passion was growing hops and he was very sad to have to give that up in the 90s because it was no longer viable.’
He went on: ‘They gave us an idyllic life as kids growing up on the farm.
‘They would have never left the farmhouse, which will always be the hub of the family.’
Phil added to the publication: ‘We cannot thank everyone enough for their kind words and thoughts about our parents at this difficult time.’
Phil thanked people for their support during the ‘difficult time’ (Picture: Twitter)
After the horrific accident, Phil, 53, took to social media with a sweet photo of his late parents to publicly mourn the loss.
‘Very sadly both of my amazing parents died on Friday’, the TV presenter and property expert began in the caption.
‘As a family we are all trying to hold onto the fact Mum and Dad went together and that neither will ever have to mourn the loss of the other one. Which is a blessing in itself.
‘Although they were both on extremely good form in the days before (hence the sudden idea to go out to lunch), Mums Parkinson’s and Dads Dementia had been worsening and the long term future was set to be a challenge.
‘So much so that Mum said to me only a week ago that she had resigned to thinking “now it looks like we will probably go together”. And so they did.’
‘That was what God had planned for them – and it was a good plan’, he stated.
Phil detailed the accident, continuing: ‘The car, going very slowly, toppled over a bridge on the farm drive, upside down into the river. There were no physical injuries and I very much doubt they would have even fought it – they would have held hands under the water and quietly slipped away.
‘Their carer was in the car and managed to climb out of a back window so the alarm was raised quite quickly.
‘As many farmers do – my brother had a penknife and so was able to cut the seat belts – he pulled them out of the river but they never regained consciousness.
‘Although desperately sad and shocked beyond all belief – all family are clear that if there can ever be such a thing as having a “good end” – this was it.’
He added: ‘It feels horrendous right now, but after almost 60 years of marriage – to die together on the farm they so loved will, I know, be a comfort in the future.’
Phil signed off: ‘Mum Dad are together which is precisely where they would have wanted to be. ❤️’
Phil’s Location, Location, Location co-host Kirstie has paid tribute to David and Anne, while Piers Morgan and Phil Vickery are amongst the celebrities who have shared their condolences.
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