I'm A Celeb star Barry McGuigan's childhood sweetheart wife and devastating family heartbreak

He may be a former boxing champion but I'm A Celeb contestant Barry McGuigan has had to endure his fair share of life's punches - most notably when tragedy struck his family five years ago.

After meeting in their youth, Barry wed his wife Sandra in 1981 and the two lovebirds have since been married for over 40 years. Barry was only 20-years-old at the time and the two went on to have four children: Danika, Shane, Jake, and Blain.

Danika, also known as Nika, the couple's only daughter tragically passed away on July 23, 2019 at the tender age of 33, following a brief battle with cancer. She had previously overcome leukemia as a child, but succumbed to a more aggressive form of cancer later in life.

And if Danika McGuigan looks familiar that's because she appeared in several films and TV shows including Wildfire (2020), Can't Cope, Won't Cope (2016), Traders (2015) and Philomena (2013). But her death had a devastating affect on the family - on August 2, 2019, Barry shared an old photo of himself and his daughter, paying an emotional tribute to Danika.

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"The most difficult thing I've ever had to do was to say goodbye to my amazing daughter Nika earlier this week," he wrote. "She has been a shining light in our family's lives for the past 33 years.

"Nika was an extremely talented and inspirational young lady who radiated kindness and love. Our hearts are broken and we know that life will never be the same again for us. However, Nika lives on in so many parts of our lives which we are grateful for. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who sent flowers, cards, Mass cards, Instagram messages, Facebook, Twitter, texts and email messages of condolences and support."

Her brother Shane, also paid tribute saying: "It breaks my heart to write this. My beautiful sister Danika lost her battle with cancer in the early hours of Tuesday morning, at the young age of 33. She overcame it once with a two year fight when she was 11 to 13. Myself, my brothers & parents were privileged to have another 20 years since the first battle with our amazing Nika.

"Unfortunately Nika couldn’t beat it again but she fought so bravely until the end. I have memories that I’ll cherish for a lifetime & you will live on forever in spirit. I’m so so proud of you! Love you forever my older ‘little’ sister. RIP"

Nicknamed The Clones Cyclone, Barry won the featherweight world title in 1985 when he beat Eusebio Pedroza and in 1994 received an MBE for services to boxing. He has also become a regular fixture on Sky TV as a pundit and could now be in with a fighting chance when it comes to lifting the crown as King of the Jungle.

I'm A Celeb returns to Virgin Media today at 9pm.

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