Gemma Atkinson makes fans 'cry' as she shares tribute to friend after health scare prompted memories of dad's death

Gemma Atkinson left some of her fans in tears as she paid tribute to one of her best friends ahead of being her maid of honour at her upcoming wedding. The Hits Radio host took to Instagram to share a string of images from throughout her friendship with Cinta London.

And while the post was a gushing tribute to her mate, Gemma couldn't avoid touching on a recent traumatic experience for Cinta, who works as a hair and makeup artist, which left Gemma fearing the worst and thinking back to when she lost her father, David, aged 17 in 2002.

"2 months until I’m maid of honour for @cintalondon," the 37-year-old began to type alongside a bunch of throwback images, showing her and Cinta in a hot tub while rocking sunglasses as well as when they were papped while out and about in Manchester. "To say we’ve been through it is an understatement," Gemma continued.

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"A month ago with the two of us alone in her flat I ended up phoning for an ambulance in the night because Cinta was having a suspected heart attack. It was awful. And whilst trying to stay cool and calm in front of her while we waited for paramedics, all I could think of was my Dad and how he died from a heart attack."

David died in 2002 from a heart attack and Gemma, now 37, has previously spoken about how her dad's colleague found him hunched over his desk, struggling to breathe or move, as he was having a heart attack.

Gemma told Steph's Packed Lunch in June last year that within a few days they were told her dad was OK and put it down to stress and told him to slow down. However, as the family prepared for him to come, the hospital called and said David had a