Louis Tomlinson has paid tribute to his late mother on her birthday.
Johannah Deakin passed away in December following a secret battle with leukaemia and on Saturday (25.03.17), on what would have been her 44th birthday, Louis, 25, took to Twitter to share a poignant message.
He wrote: "Happy birthday mum, I love you."
Johannah was also mother to Lottie, 18, Felicite, 16, twins Daisy and Phoebe, 13, and three-year-old twins Ernest and Doris.
And Louis’ younger sister Daisy posted a picture of her with their mother on Instagram and wrote: "Happy birthday mummy, i can’t put in to words how much I miss you but I know your are looking over us and protecting us all. Thank you for always being there for me, you are the bravest women ever and a little fighter but gods takes the best, I hope your safe and having a nice birthday filled with fun. I hope I have made you proud and continue to and I love you billions, i will never forget you because you are the most important person in my life and I am eternally greatful for all the amazing memories I had with you mummy (sic)."
Just days after Johannah died, Louis debuted his single ‘Just Hold On’ with Steve Aoki at ‘The X Factor’ final and called it a tribute to his mother.
Speaking about his mother’s passing, he said: "It’s not something that I feel 100 per cent comfortable talking too much about but just quickly, when I first found out the news I kind of did want to throw the towel in.
"But it was my mum who said to me that I’ve just got to keep going, telling me very sternly that she wanted me to. So I’m not doing it for her but … It was tough but I felt like it was nice for me to almost have a little send off for her."
After the performance, ‘X Factor’ judge and music mogul Simon Cowell told Louis: "I have to say something to you. I’ve known you for six years, what you’ve just done – the bravery. I respect you as an artist and I respect you as a person. Your mum was so proud of you Louis and she was so looking forward to this performance. She’s watching over you now and you’ve done her so proud."
And Louis’ One Direction bandmates – Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Harry Styles – were also backstage at the show to lend their support, even though the group is on hiatus.
A source said at the time: "Harry, Niall and Liam all came down to ‘X Factor’ to support Louis. They all were backstage with him supporting him. It was a lovely moment – and shows the unity of One Direction.
"First time all back together in a year. It was a lovely touching moment backstage and they all came to support Louis during a horrible time. Niall even flew back from New York."
Louis Tomlinson’s birthday tribute to late mother
