THE family of a woman who died from cancer have thanked singer Tony Hadley for sending flowers to her funeral.

Jacqueline Bamber, from Spennymoor, County Durham, died last month after a four-year battle with breast cancer.

The 55-year-old’s mother, Barbara Richardson, said her daughter had been the number one fan of Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley for 25 years.

Weeks before she died, Ms Bamber, who had speech problems and learning difficulties, met the singer before a gig in Manchester at which he dedicated his hit song True to her.

He also sent flowers to her funeral, signing off as “Tony Hadley, your number one fan”.

Mrs Richardson said: “She always ended her letters to him with ‘Your number one fan’, so it was lovely when he sent a card with the flowers saying the same thing.

“We have met him a few times over the years and Jackie was so happy when she saw him a few weeks ago. He is such a down-toearth man and unlike many pop stars, he really appreciates his fans.”

Ms Bamber was born in Suffolk, but moved to the North-East aged 13.

She was first treated for cancer in 2006, but the disease returned in December 2008.

Mrs Richardson said: “She was always smiling and she had a lot of friends.

“She had been through the mill, but always came through with a big smile on her face.”

She leaves behind her mother, stepfather George and brothers Martin and Paul, as well as a large extended family.

Mourners at her funeral raised £315 for the Mara Cancer Unit at Bishop Auckland General Hospital.