Catastrophe’s Rob Delaney loses son Henry to brain cancer
- The actor described his son Henry as a ‘joy – smart, funny and mischievous’ in a poignant and heart-breaking message to fans
- He revealed Henry was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2016; he passed away last month
- American-born star detailed his child’s harrowing illness, which included surgery and fifteen months in hospital
- He has two older sons with his wife Leah; he said they are ‘all devastated’
- He thanks Britain’s NHS, and urged ‘concrete and sustained action’ to support the health system
Dailymail.com Reporter
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Catastrophe star Rob Delaney’s two-year-old son Henry has died.
The actor revealed the devastating news in a Facebook post on Friday, in which he paid tribute to his ‘smart, funny, and mischievous’ child.
‘Henry was a joy,’ wrote Delaney. ‘He was smart, funny, and mischievous and we had so many wonderful adventures together, particularly after he’d moved home following fifteen months living in hospitals.’
Along with Delaney, Henry is survived by his older brothers, aged six and five, and his mother, Leah.
‘He was smart and mischievous’: Catastrophe star Rob Delaney loses son Henry, 2, to brain cancer; he is seen last year
Fame: Delaney stars as Rob in the comedy Catastrophe, alongside Sharon Horgan, the two write and starred in the show together, basing it on their own lives
Father-son time: Delaney shared this photo to Instagram back in May 2015
In his message, Delaney, 41, explained that Henry was diagnosed after suffering persistent vomiting and weight loss just after his first birthday.
The toddler underwent surgery to remove a tumor followed by further treatment throughout last year, spending 15 months in hospital. Sadly the cancer returned in the autumn and Henry died last month.
Delaney explained that while brain surgery left his son with ‘significant physical disabilities’ he found his own ways to overcome them.
‘He quickly learned sign language and developed his own method of getting from A to B shuffling on his beautiful little bum,’ said Delaney.
‘His drive to live and to love and to connect was profound.’
Devastating news: Delaney announced the death of his youngest child in a heartfelt and moving tribute, in which he asked for donations to the charities which helped his family
Delaney shared this picture to Instagram in June 2015 with the caption ‘#ChristianDadsWhoVape’
In May 2015 he shared this snap to Instagram captioned: ‘I put big boy underpants on my baby’
And the British-based American actor said he was determined to hold himself together, for the sake of Henry’s grieving siblings.
‘I am astonished by the love-in-action displayed by Henry’s mom and his brothers. They are why I will endeavor to not go mad with grief.
‘I don’t want to miss out on their beautiful lives. I’m greedy for more experiences with them. The NHS nurses and doctors and the home carers and charity workers who helped our family survive Henry’s illness will be my heroes until the day I die. I am desperately sad right now, but I can say with authority that there is good in this world.’
And he ended his tribute with a message to his adored son.
‘Thank you, beautiful Henry, for spending as much time with us as you did. We miss you so much.’
Support: A popular figure in the world of comedy, Delaney’s Twitter page was flooded with supportive comments from friends and fans alike
Delaney, from Massachusetts, first came to prominence on Twitter, sharing his jokes on the platform.
After developing a huge following, he was signed up to shoot a pilot for Comedy Central.
The show was not picked up, however Delaney went on to co-write and co-star in Catastrophe with Sharon Horgan, taking inspiration for the show from their own lives.
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