Johannah Deakin, the mother of One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson, has passed away at the age of 42.
He family broke the tragic news in a statement issued Friday morning:
“It is with immeasurable sadness that Johannah Deakin’s family said goodbye to Johannah in the early hours of Wednesday 7th December 2016,” the statement reads.
“Earlier this year Johannah was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of leukemia that required immediate and continuous treatment. We respectfully request that the family are given time and space to grieve in private.”
In addition to Louis, Deakin is survived by six other children, Lottie, 18, Felicite, 16, twins Daisy and Phoebe, 12, and twins Ernest and Doris, 2.
Felicite tweeted a broken heart Emoji on Thursday night, the first public acknowledgment of Johannah’s passing.
Johannah became a grandmother in January of this year, when Louis and Briana Jungwirth welcomed a child.
Louis has yet to comment on the death of his beloved mother, but fans have flocked to social media to show their support.
“#RIPJohannah” is currently the number one trending topic on Twitter.
Among those offering condolences was Liam Payne’s girlfriend, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini:
“@Louis_Tomlinson my heart breaks for you. I am so sorry,” she wrote.
“My thoughts are with you and your loved ones at this incredibly tragic time.”
“So sad, she was so beautiful and gave birth to legends.. actually heartbroken #RIPJohannah,” tweeted one fan.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Louis and his family right now. Heaven gained a beautiful, kind angel. #RIPJohannah,” wrote another.
#RIPJohannah this is all more reason to count your blessings and show love to the people in your life right now cuz you never know,” added another Directioner.
Tomlinson was scheduled to appear on The X Factor on Saturday, and sources close to the singer say he will be performins as planned, in part to honor his mother’s wishes.
The singer will be debuting his new solo single “Just Hold On”, a collaboration with famed DJ Steve Aoki.