Jake Quickenden has opened up about losing both his brother and father to bone cancer, revealing that he used alcohol as a coping mechanism for their deaths.
Heartbreakingly, the Dancing On Ice Star lost them both within four years of each other - his brother Oliver, 19, died days after his first X Factor audition aired in 2012, and his dad Paul had passed four years before.
Speaking about this period of his life, Jake, 29, told the Mirror: “I was drinking on my own to numb myself to the feelings. I should have opened up a lot sooner.”
Jake has since turned his life around and is engaged to Danielle Fogarty, and he also said he believes his dad and brother would have 'loved' her.
He continued: “They would love Danielle. But I’m a firm believer they are with me every day,” he said.
“We have two massive pictures of my dad and brother, and they’ll be there at the wedding. And we will do special drinks that they liked.
Jake, who is currently wowing us all on Dancing On Ice, emotionally spoke about his mum Lisa on Loose Women last year - which reduced her to tears.
Reading out a letter he wrote to her, he said: “I didn't really deal with losing Dad and Oliver.
“Like everything, I tried to carry on and put it to the back of my mind but you helped me cope.
“I knew I had to be strong for you, as did Adam.
“Oliver and Dad will be watching down, guiding us along in everything we do, so don't ever think you won't see them again, because you will. He's always around.
“I hope I make you proud because you've made me the man I am today. Love you always.