Homes Under the Hammer presenter Jacqui Joseph has revealed the personal ritual she carries out every day in memory of her husband Andy, who died eight years ago on New Year's Day.
Andy's death came just eight months after he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, leaving behind Jacqui and their grown-up daughter Bianca. The London-based star, who also appears on BBC's Morning Live with interior design tips, has previously spoken about her experience with grief.
Festive period 'particularly challenging'
Jacqui has described how Christmas and New Year now feels "more intense, because everyone needs to be joyous, and everyone's getting together", in an interview with Yours magazine.
She also recalled her feelings just after Andy died: "Afterwards, when I saw people walking their dogs or going up the road, I'd think, 'What are you doing? Why are you out there acting normal, like nothing's happened?'"
Daily candle ritual
Jacqui keeps Andy's memory alive wherever she goes through a very personal ritual. She shared: "I light a candle for him every day, even when I'm staying in hotels. It's his light, and it's a must for me."
Reflecting on their life together, she said: "He was a good soul, he was great, he was fun. We did everything together. We worked together. We had holidays together, we got coffee together, dinner together, cinema together, everything together."
Family connection to acting
Jacqui and Andy first crossed paths while she was managing a band, and the pair later went on to run a record label together. The couple welcomed their daughter Bianca.
Jacqui is not the only celebrity in her family, as her brother is actor Paterson Joseph. He has appeared in shows including Peep Show, Noughts + Crosses, Doctor Who Vigil and Timeless, though BBC viewers may recognise him most for starring as staff nurse Mark Grace in Casualty.
Homes Under the Hammer continues weekdays at 11.30am on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
