We went to Northamptonshire today to celebrate my Nan’s 80th birthday. It’s such an achievement to get to that age and go through all the things she’s been through and still be an utter inspiration because she exudes positivity like no-one else on Earth. I have so much to be grateful to her for, not least the fact that I exist.

We both went through the trauma of losing her son/my Dad in 1986 to a brain haemorrhage. It sent us all off the wall for a number of years, and I truly regret not seeing Nan for nearly 5 years at one point. To be able to stand up today and toast her on behalf of Dad nearly got all of us bursting into tears, but she’s brilliant at keeping herself together and smiling on to make sure everyone has a good time. Here she is sat next to my Pap and my nephew William. Happy birthday Nan! Eighty trips round the sun – here’s to many more to come x (click to enlarge)

…I also managed for the first time ever to get all of the kids in one picture all looking the same way!