Barry McGuigan previously opened up about the sad death of his beloved father, revealing he was both “shocked and devastated” when he passed away.
The boxing legend – who is on The Great Escapers today (November 23) – has had to deal with several heartbreaking losses over the years, including his late daughter Danika. She died in 2019 at the age of 33, just five weeks after getting a bowel cancer diagnosis.
However, back in the 1980s, Barry’s dad Pat McGuigan, died after a period of illness at the young age of 52.
Barry McGuigan’s ‘shock’ over dad’s death
Barry’s father Pat was a well-known singer and had a successful career over the years. He also represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest, reaching fourth place.
Tragically, in 1987, Pat died from cancer just weeks after being diagnosed.
Talking about his dad’s death 30 years later, Barry told The Independent: “My father, Pat McGuigan, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a rare type of blood cancer, at the age of 52.
“He underwent surgery in hospital, but sadly died nine weeks later. My family and I were shocked and devastated.”
Praising the advancement in medical knowledge and treatment, Barry went on: “In 1987 we were unaware of blood cancer or what it meant in terms of prognosis, treatment and survival. Today, however, there is renewed hope.”
He then noted that there is “a drive for more public awareness and education” and said that the “survival rates and quality of life for many blood cancer patients has significantly improved”. This is down to “early diagnosis and better treatment options”.
‘It’s just destroyed us’
Barry also opened up about his father during an appearance on I’m A Celebrity… Unpacked in 2024, shortly after his exit from the main show.
Reflecting on his dad’s death, Barry said: “We were all pretty destroyed.” He then started to break down in tears, causing his co-star Maura Higgins to comfort him.
Barry continued: “Losing my dad, then my brother took his life in 1994, then losing my wee girl. It’s just destroyed us. I’m getting better. I’ve got the rest of my life to get better.”
He then added: “Thinking about things that hurt you emotionally, and losing your daughter… I only had one daughter so it’s hard to bounce back from that.
“My brother was 34, dad was 52, but when you lose your child… her whole career. Her movie had just won awards over the world she was just about to break in and she had five weeks to live.”
Watch Barry on The Great Escapers on Sunday (November 23) at 7:00pm on ITV1.
Read more: Barry McGuigan on losing four loved ones including 33-year-old daughter: ‘A catalogue of disasters’
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