Louis Tomlinson’s One Direction Family Sends Love After Mother’s Death

Taryn Ryder
·Writer, Yahoo Entertainment
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: (SUN NEWSPAPER OUT. MANDATORY CREDIT PHOTO BY DAVE J. HOGAN GETTY IMAGES REQUIRED) Louis Tomlinson and his mother Johannah Poulston attend the Believe in Magic Cinderella Ball at the Natural History Museum on August 10, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Louis Tomlinson and his mother, Johannah Deakin, in London in August 2015. (Photo: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

Louis Tomlinson is receiving an outpouring of love and support following the news of his mother’s death. Johannah Deakin passed away at age 43 after battling an aggressive form of leukemia.

Members of Tomlinson’s One Direction family, including ex-member Zayn Malik, have expressed sadness on social media.

Niall Horan also tweeted out support.

Liam Payne posted a heartwarming note on Instagram: “Louis, I’m so sorry for you my brother my heart aches for you, just know I love you the same from a million miles away as I do right next to you,” he began. “I’m always here for you through everything as you have been for me. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this incredibly sad time I can’t begin to imagine what you are all going through. Rip Johanna you are forever in my thoughts.”

Cheryl Cole, who is expecting her first child with Payne and was a judge on U.K.’s The X Factor when One Direction formed, also sent Louis well wishes.

Simon Cowell, who ultimately signed the group, also tweeted to Louis.

Devoted 1D fans have continued to make #RIPJohannah a trending topic on Twitter.

Tomlinson, 24, has not posted anything since news broke; however, his last Instagram post from three weeks ago is of his mother.

My mother looking gorgeous before the Brits earlier this year . I love you and miss you so much !

A photo posted by Louis Tomlinson (@louist91) on Nov 18, 2016 at 11:59am PST

Louis was very close with his mom and would often bring her as his date to events. While news of Johannah’s illness was kept private, the family confirmed she died Wednesday after being hospitalized since May.

“Earlier this year Johannah was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of leukemia that required immediate and continuous treatment,” the statement read. “We respectfully request that the family are given time and space to grieve in private.”

Louis will reportedly go through with his previously scheduled appearance on The X Factor on Saturday as his mom’s final wish.

Johannah is survived by her husband, Dan, and seven children — Louis; Lottie, 18; Félicité, 16; 12-year-old twins Daisy and Phoebe; and 2-year-old twins Ernest and Doris. She was also grandmother to Louis’s 10-month-old son, Freddie.