Love Island star Dami Hope has shared the heartbreaking news of his father’s death in an emotional social media post.

Dami, 27, appeared on the eighth series of Love Island in 2022, where he met his girlfriend Indiyah Polack, 24.

The reality TV personality revealed his father Babajide, a council worker, had passed away in an emotional Instagram post on Tuesday.

Sharing a gallery of family pictures of Babajide, Dami said: ‘I keep waking up to the same painful reality. I’ve lost my father. He’s no longer here anymore and it kills me inside’.

Dami said he had struggled to come to terms with the news of his father’s death, admitting he couldn’t bring himself to say the words out loud.
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Love Island star Dami Hope (pictured at the MOBOs this month) has shared the heartbreaking news of his father’s death in an emotional social media post

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The reality TV personality revealed his father Babajide, a council worker, had passed away in an emotional Instagram post on Tuesday

The reality star shared a collection of pictures in tribute to his father, which included one where he held Dami as a child.

Dami penned: ‘Nothing feels real, I keep praying I’m just in a fever dream and everything will be as it once was when I wake up.

‘But I keep waking up to the same painful reality. I’ve lost my father. He’s no longer here anymore and it kills me inside.

‘I would have done anything to have been able to keep him here! My dad was really HIM. Paved the way for all of us, my siblings and I.’

Dami went on to say that he ‘learnt how to laugh’ because of Babajide.

‘He really was the first person to ever make laugh on this green earth, memories that bear so much weight at my core,’ he added.

‘Man I’m in pain,’ Dami continued. ‘People don’t tell you about the trauma death brings, you steel yourself but ultimately you still break down over and over again and tbh so be it.

‘Memories with people really ought to be cherished more, especially with loved ones. I want to honour him with my tears, my pain, my laughter, and my joy because these are things that are deserving of the pillar he was in our lives.

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The reality star shared a collection of pictures in tribute to his father, which included one where he held Dami as a child

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Dami said he had struggled to come to terms with the news of his father’s death, admitting he couldn’t bring himself to say the words out loud

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Sharing pictures of Babajide, Dami said: ‘I keep waking up to the same painful reality. I’ve lost my father. He’s no longer here anymore and it kills me inside’

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Dami penned: ‘Nothing feels real, I keep praying I’m just in a fever dream and everything will be as it once was when I wake up’

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‘Man I’m in pain,’ Dami continued. ‘People don’t tell you about the trauma death brings, you steel yourself but ultimately you still break down over and over again and tbh so be it’

‘I pray you’re at peace knowing I will do everything in my power to uplift your name. I pray I live a life deserving of your respect and one you could be proud of. I pray you know no more sorrow or suffering and only joy.’

Dami finished his tribute by saying: ‘I will miss you every day for the rest of my life dad. Thank you for always being someone to look up to. Even in death, I will still look up to you.

‘I’m happy I was by your side till the bitter end, I hope every word I spoke to you reached you. I love you dad and even though I’m my mom’s twin I’m most definitely my father’s son.’

Dami’s girlfriend Indiyah also shared a tribute to Babajide, sharing a video posted by Dami of him.

‘RIP Babajide [love heart],’ she wrote. ‘Gone but not forgotten! The funniest man, your whole aura will be deeply missed – from here out we will continue to celebrate your life.’

Fellow Love Islanders sent Dami their condolences in light of the sad news.

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Dami’s girlfriend Indiyah Polack also shared a tribute to Babajide, sharing a video posted by Dami of him. ‘RIP Babajide [love heart],’ she wrote

Fellow Love Islanders sent Dami their condolences in light of the sad news

Tasha Gouri, who featured on the same series as Dami and Indiyah, said: ‘I’m so sorry for your loss Dami! Sending so much love to you.’

Her boyfriend Andrew Le Page said: ‘So sorry to hear this mate! Thoughts and love to you and the family, he’d be very proud of you.’

Love Island season 10 star Catherine Agbaje said: ‘This is so heartbreaking and can’t imagine how your feeling. So so sorry for your loss and will keep you and your family in my prayers.’

Whitney Adebayo said: ‘Sorry for your loss Dami, sending you and your family love.’

Ikenna Ekwona added: ‘Heartful message, always with you Dams.’