real life

One Direction's Louis Tomlinson performed days after losing his mum to leukaemia.

One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson is grieving the loss of his mother Johannah Deakin Poulston, who died after a battle with leukaemia on Wednesday.

The midwife was aged just 43 when she passed away, leaving behind her husband Dan and her seven children, Louis, 24, Lottie, 18, Felicite, 16, twins Daisy and Phoebe, both 12, and twins Ernest and Doris, both aged two, who she gave birth to prematurely in 2014.

Louis went ahead with his debut solo performance at the UK’s X Factor final on Saturday night in tribute to his late mother, who had wished for the performance to go ahead.

The 24-year-old’s performance of ‘Just Hold On’ was met with cheering from the crowd and a standing ovation from the judges, who commended him for his courage in performing.

In a statement, the family shared that with “immeasurable sadness” they said their final farewells to Joannah in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

“Earlier this year Johannah was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of leukaemia that required immediate and continuous treatment,” the statement read.

“We respectfully request that the family are given time and space to grieve in private.”

My mother looking gorgeous before the Brits earlier this year . I love you and miss you so much !

A photo posted by Louis Tomlinson (@louist91) on

ADVERTISEMENT

“Johannah was first and foremost a truly amazing mother to seven children… whose individual talents and success are testament to the principles and beliefs she instilled in them,” her husband Dan said in a statement.

“Incredibly selfless, she would always look to put other people before herself. She desired nothing more than for everyone around her to be happy and loving.

“She worked tirelessly on numerous charity campaigns, creating memories for many individuals and their families.”

The father-of-seven also said that Johannah was an “incredibly proud grandmother” to Louis’ 11-month-old son Freddie, whom he had with former girlfriend Briana Jungwirth.

Our thoughts are with Johannah’s family.