Stoke City assistant manager Dean Holden and his wife, former CITV presenter Danielle Nicholls, are speaking out about meningitis and grief following the death of their 17-month-old daughter, Cici, in 2012. Cici died from meningococcal septicaemia while the family was on holiday in Lanzarote.
Mrs Nicholls described the holiday as a 'living nightmare', recalling that Cici seemed unwell upon arrival and had a slightly raised temperature overnight. The next morning, she was making a 'whimper' noise, and despite being taken to a clinic where plans were made for an airlift to intensive care, she died within two hours.
The couple, who have four other children, have undergone various treatments to cope with their loss. 'Ten years on, we're still together, and we laugh about things and we celebrate her,' Mr Holden said. Mrs Nicholls added: 'You learn to live with the hole that is inside your heart... We have always been able to talk about Cici, but it was just the day that we couldn't talk about because of the trauma.'
Mr Holden, a former defender for Bolton, Oldham, and Peterborough, joined Stoke City in April 2021 after managerial roles at Oldham, Walsall, and Bristol City. Mrs Nicholls is known for her work on CITV. The couple hope their story will raise awareness of meningitis and the importance of mental health support.
