Former EastEnders star Elaine Lordan's baby son has died just days after his first birthday, her agent has said.
James Manuel, who turned one last Tuesday, had been suffering from a serious medical condition, known as a diaphragmatic hernia. His parents thought he was "over the worst" and were said to distraught by his "totally unexpected" death on Sunday. His death came only days after Lordan, a former star of EastEnders who recently made a brief appearance on ITV1's I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here, had married her long-term partner and the father of James. She tied the knot with Peter Manuel last Thursday at Islington register office and James was present at the ceremony.
Lordan's agent Kate Whaley said in a statement: "It is with tremendous sadness that we can confirm that Elaine Lordan and Peter Manuel's son James Manuel passed away on Sunday.Elaine, Pete and their family and friends are devastated at their loss, and request that they are given time to deal with what is an incredibly sad time for them. We respectively request that no calls or visits are made directly to Elaine or Pete at this sad time and at the moment have no other information. Thanking you all in advance for your consideration at this sad time."
The death of Lordan's son is the latest tragedy to befall the star after her 62-year-old mother Bernadette died after falling under a London Underground train in March.
And after four years in BBC1's EastEnders as mouthy Lynne Hobbs, the actress left the show following rows about her drinking.
She found happiness with the birth of her son, but James was born five weeks prematurely last December with a diaphragmatic hernia.This meant he had an abnormal opening in his diaphragm which can lead to abdominal organs expanding into the chest cavity.James spent months in hospital undergoing a series of operations and surgery but he was recently finally allowed home with his parents.
The couple, who have been together for 12 years, celebrated his first birthday with a small celebration at their home in north London last week.
Lordan's difficult year continued as she became the first high profile person to leave I'm A Celebrity after she collapsed twice in the jungle in two days.
James Manuel, who turned one last Tuesday, had been suffering from a serious medical condition, known as a diaphragmatic hernia. His parents thought he was "over the worst" and were said to distraught by his "totally unexpected" death on Sunday. His death came only days after Lordan, a former star of EastEnders who recently made a brief appearance on ITV1's I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here, had married her long-term partner and the father of James. She tied the knot with Peter Manuel last Thursday at Islington register office and James was present at the ceremony.
Lordan's agent Kate Whaley said in a statement: "It is with tremendous sadness that we can confirm that Elaine Lordan and Peter Manuel's son James Manuel passed away on Sunday.Elaine, Pete and their family and friends are devastated at their loss, and request that they are given time to deal with what is an incredibly sad time for them. We respectively request that no calls or visits are made directly to Elaine or Pete at this sad time and at the moment have no other information. Thanking you all in advance for your consideration at this sad time."
The death of Lordan's son is the latest tragedy to befall the star after her 62-year-old mother Bernadette died after falling under a London Underground train in March.
And after four years in BBC1's EastEnders as mouthy Lynne Hobbs, the actress left the show following rows about her drinking.
She found happiness with the birth of her son, but James was born five weeks prematurely last December with a diaphragmatic hernia.This meant he had an abnormal opening in his diaphragm which can lead to abdominal organs expanding into the chest cavity.James spent months in hospital undergoing a series of operations and surgery but he was recently finally allowed home with his parents.
The couple, who have been together for 12 years, celebrated his first birthday with a small celebration at their home in north London last week.
Lordan's difficult year continued as she became the first high profile person to leave I'm A Celebrity after she collapsed twice in the jungle in two days.
