Johnny Vegas announces death of his mum with touching tribute
Johnny Vegas has confirmed the death of his mother, admitting he is “still incapable of processing” the news.
The 49-year-old comedian - whose real name is Michael Pennington - paid loving tribute to his mum Patricia Pennington, who he revealed died in her sleep on Sunday.
Vegas tweeted: “With a kind of deep regret that I’m still incapable of processing, I have to confirm that Ma Vegas, Patricia, passed away last Sunday, peacefully in her sleep. To say she was a bit of a character would be too huge an underestimation. As a Mum I dare to argue I had the best x”
With a kind of deep regret that I’m still incapable of processing, I have to confirm that Ma Vegas, Patricia, passed away last Sunday, peacefully in her sleep. To say she was a bit of a character would be too huge an underestimation. As a Mum I dare to argue I had the best x pic.twitter.com/YuXiaHsm9p
— Johnny Vegas (@JohnnyVegasReal) November 19, 2019
The actor shared a picture of his mum along with a heartwarming framed, handwritten note which reads: “Dear Michael, lots of love and kisses Mum. Look after yourself. If you get short of money, please come back home. God bless, Mum and Dad.”
Read more: Johnny Vegas explains how Madonna helped him quit smoking
His late mother was discharged from St Helens Whiston hospital on November 13 after undergoing major surgery a week earlier for an undisclosed condition.
Vegas shared a picture of his mother at home with her pet dog Toby on November 13, tweeting: “Right, now that @MaVegas2 is reunited with her favourite family member I might have to head back to London. Hate to leave but family & this wee @DogsTrust scamp will keep her safe, plus he’s a much better listener ;) Thanks for all your kind messages, take care x #SaveOurNHS.”
Right, now that @MaVegas2 is reunited with her favourite family member I might have to head back to London. Hate to leave but family & this wee @DogsTrust scamp will keep her safe, plus he’s a much better listener ;)
Thanks for all your kind messages, take care x #SaveOurNHS ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0Z079zQrKB— Johnny Vegas (@JohnnyVegasReal) November 13, 2019
His mother had been in and out of hospital over the past year and earlier this month Vegas blamed Prime Minister Boris Johnson when Patricia was turned away from Accident and Emergency.
He tweeted: "3 hour wait on an ambulance but A&E had to close its doors, full to capacity. Why be angry at the incredible folk working under unbelievable stress?
3 hour wait on an ambulance but A&E had to close its doors, full to capacity. Why be angry at the incredible folk working under unbelievable stress? I remain grateful, my bitterness belongs to @BorisJohnson @Conservatives at your neglect of our @NHSuk & blatant drive to privatise
— Johnny Vegas (@JohnnyVegasReal) November 2, 2019
"I remain grateful, my bitterness belongs to @BorisJohnson @Conservatives at your neglect of our @NHSuk & blatant drive to privatise."
Read more: Johnny Vegas shows off impressive weight loss transformation on Twitter
Patricia was a mother-of-four and bingo devotee, with her own Twitter account and almost 2,000 followers.
Vegas lived at home after graduating from university before leaving to pursue a career in comedy.
He was incredibly close to his mother and made regular trips to visit her. Vegas’s father Laurence Pennington died in 2017.