Amber Gill has shared her devastation following the funeral of her best friend Irene Roozbayani who died after being diagnosed with stage four breast cancer.
The former Love Island star, 27, said she ‘doesn’t know if she will ever recover’ from the loss of her close friend, who she said was ‘one of her inner circle’ in a heartbreaking tribute shared to her Instagram page on Wednesday evening.
Hundreds of mourners turned out at a Newcastle crematorium on Monday to pay tribute to ‘inspirational’ make-up artist and influencer Irene.
Sharing her thoughts following the service, Amber chose to speak publicly about the ‘hole in her world’ that Amber has left behind.
She said: ‘I usually keep my personal life relatively private. But this has left a huge hole in my world. Irene is one of my inner circle.
‘One of very few people that knows every single thing about me. I don’t even have any nice words because I’m still heartbroken. I’m not even sure if any of what I’m writing will make sense.
Amber Gill has shared her devastation following the funeral of her best friend Irene Roozbayani who died after being diagnosed with stage four breast cancer
Hundreds of mourners turned out at a Newcastle crematorium on Monday to pay tribute to ‘inspirational’ make-up artist and influencer Irene
The former Love Island star, 27, said she ‘doesn’t know if she will ever recover’ from the loss of her close friends who she said was ‘one of her inner circle’, in a heartbreaking tribute shared to her Instagram page on Wednesday evening
‘We said our final goodbyes to Irene yesterday. I’m not sure if I’ll ever recover. What a reality check to value the people you love whilst they are here.’
Irene, from South Shields, Tyne and Wear, pᴀssed away on November 7 after being diagnosed with the disease back in April.
Tributes poured in following the death of the beloved make-up artist, described as a ‘loyal friend’ and ‘always happy’ by loved ones.
Irene’s heartbroken father, Yousef Rouzbayani, described his daughter as ‘very generous, happy, and always liked to make people laugh’.
He said: ‘Everybody loved her and she was so friendly, always introducing me to new friends that she had made as she grew up.
‘She had expensive taste, I remember that, but I think this really helped her in her career. I have lost the person that was always in my heart, and I will never forget her.’
On the night Irene pᴀssed away, Mr Rouzbayani ‘cuddled and spoke’ to his daughter.
He added: ‘Even though she couldn’t speak back to me, I saw a tear in her eye. I want the people who knew here to remember her for the person that she was, and I miss her so much.’
Irene, from South Shields, Tyne and Wear, pᴀssed away on November 7 aged just 41 after being diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer at the beginning of the year
The influencer and make-up artist had worked with the likes of Charlotte Tilbury (pictured)
Tributes have poured in following the death of the beloved make-up artist (pictured, centre), described as a ‘loyal friend’ and ‘always happy’ by loved ones
Speaking to Chronicle Live, Irene’s friend Helena Ganley said: ‘Irene always had time to make you feel special, and she always treated you like you were the only person in the room.
‘She loved children so much, giving them attention and putting some lip gloss on the little girls, and she was loved and adored by everyone.’
Born in Scotland to Iranian parents, Irene later moved to South Shields at the age of five.
In the years that followed, Irene would put her skills and pᴀssion for make-up to incredible use as she began wielding an impressive career from the moment she took on her first make-up job at MAC.
She later went on to work in the wedding industry by specialising in bridal make-up, before leaving to join Charlotte Tilbury at Fenwick in Newcastle, just as the now-global brand was on the rise.
It wasn’t long before Irene built up an extraordinary career that enabled her to travel the globe and work with a host of notable designers, including Vivienne Westwood, while gaining thousands of followers online.
Helena said: ‘Her name was a brand, she was very highly regarded and when people booked her, they weren’t just getting make-up, they were getting her as a whole person.
‘She did so much to make people feel comfortable, and she was kind and funny which put people at ease on their big day.’
Irene worked in the wedding industry by specialising in bridal make-up, before leaving to join Charlotte Tilbury
Despite undergoing several rounds of chemotherapy, brave Irene continued to work throughout treatment
Irene’s heartbroken father, Yousef Rouzbayani, described his daughter as ‘very generous, happy, and always liked to make people laugh’
Irene built up an extraordinary career that enabled her to travel the globe and work with a host of notable designers, including Vivienne Westwood, while gaining thousands of followers online
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Sadly, Irene’s high-flying life took a tragic turn when she was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer at the start of the year.
By the time she was diagnosed, the disease had already spread throughout her body.
Posting on Instagram, Irene’s friend Alex said she received the devastating news of her diagnosis while they were staying in the Marriott H๏τel.
Alex said Irene put up ‘one hell of a fight’ throughout the seven-month battle, in which she ‘maintained a positive outlook and took on every challenge with such grace’.
On finding out, Helena said the pair ‘looked at each other and burst out crying’ when she visited Irene for the first time time in hospital.
She added: ‘She was so positive throughout, taking everything in her stride, and she is the bravest person for dealing with it all.’
Despite undergoing several rounds of chemotherapy, brave Irene continued to work throughout treatment because she didn’t want to upset or let her customers down.
Helena explained how Irene ‘adored going to work,’ and the make-up artist would often arrive to bookings earlier than arranged so she’d ‘get a chance to speak to everyone.’
She continued: ‘Right at the end, she spent eight days at Marie Curie, and even there she remained positive, and the staff were amazing with her.’
Described by Helena as a ‘loyal friend, so receptive and insightful,’ Irene quickly cemented her place in friendship groups as the one who would arrive fashionably late to gettogethers, but nobody would mind as ‘that was just her.’
She added: ‘We could just talk on the phone for hours, effortlessly. When my little girl was born, she showered her with gifts and kisses, and she was the greatest godmother you could ask for.’