Holly Hagan, the 33-year-old British reality television icon best known for her unforgettable tenure on MTV's Geordie Shore, is mourning an unimaginable loss. On October 21, 2025, the star took to Instagram to share the devastating news that her beloved half-sister, Darci Rose, had passed away at just 19 years old.
In a profoundly emotional statement, Holly revealed that Darci died peacefully while holding her hand, surrounded by family and close friends. "It is with immeasurable grief and sadness that our baby girl, my baby sister Darci Rose passed away peacefully holding my hand surrounded by family & her best friends. She was never in any pain," Holly wrote.
The former reality star described the last four days as "something I hope no family ever has to go through," adding that the family is "traumatised in every sense of the word". While Holly has chosen not to share the full details of Darci's passing immediately, she promised that one day they would share her sister's story.
A Sister's Love and Tribute
In her heart-wrenching tribute, Holly painted an intimate portrait of Darci as a beautiful young woman who was often unaware of her own radiance. "Darci was so beautiful, often unaware of it. I always told her she would look better without the heavy false lashes," Holly reminisced, adding with a touch of humor, "although I was a hypocrite since I wore nine pairs at her age!"
Holly fondly recalled Darci's quirky habits—leaving lights on, struggling to lock doors after nights out, and leaving the freezer open, leading to their mother discovering puddles of defrosted food. But beyond the lighthearted memories, Holly emphasized Darci's compassionate nature and aspirations. "She aspired to work in social services, having developed a passion for helping children. I believe she is looking after all the little ones up there," Holly shared.
Darci was also a devoted aunt to Holly's son Alpha-Jax, who was born in June 2023. Holly recalled a cherished memory of Darci spending Alpha-Jax's entire birthday bouncing on a castle with him and another child named Alba. "She was the best aunt; Alpha-Jax adored her," Holly wrote.
Gratitude to Medical Teams
Despite her profound grief, Holly took time to express immense gratitude to the emergency services and hospital staff who cared for Darci in her final days. She specifically thanked the ambulance crew and the teams at Manchester Royal Infirmary's A&E and ICU for giving her sister "the absolute best chance".
"Because of you all we have had the opportunity to hold her hand, stroke her hair and feel her heart beating for the last time. We will forever be grateful for the way you have looked after her and us throughout this unimaginable process," Holly wrote.
Support From Geordie Shore Family
As news of Darci's passing spread, Holly's former Geordie Shore co-stars rallied around her with an outpouring of love and support. Sophie Kasaei, one of Holly's closest friends from the show, called Darci an "angel" and praised Holly's strength during this unimaginable time. "A family should never have to endure this. I wish I could alleviate this pain for you, my amazing Holly. Darci was and remains an angel, always guiding you and your family," Sophie wrote.
Nathan Henry expressed his condolences, saying, "Holly, I'm so very sorry for your family's loss. Sending you all love and hugs". James Tindale added, "Sending love and strength to you and the family, Holly. Thinking of you all during this tough time".
Charlotte Crosby, another longtime friend and bridesmaid at Holly's wedding, shared a touching memory of meeting Darci at Alpha-Jax's birthday party. "I will remember your beautiful sister Darci from Alpha Jax's birthday, where Alba spent the entire day playing with her. Darci radiated warmth and sunshine; she was incredibly kind and caring. Reading this has broken my heart," Charlotte wrote.
Holly's Journey: From Reality TV Chaos to Finding Peace
Holly Hagan's life has been one of extraordinary transformation. Born Holly Victoria Hagan on July 7, 1992, in Thornaby-on-Tees, Northeast England, she rose to fame at just 18 years old when she joined the inaugural season of Geordie Shore in 2011. Her iconic opening line—"I'm fit, I'm flirty, and I've got double Fs"—became synonymous with her larger-than-life persona on the show.
Before reality TV stardom, Holly worked for HM Revenue and Customs and in sales at a Santander call center while dreaming of becoming a glamour model. But her life changed dramatically when she secured a spot on Geordie Shore, eventually appearing in 139 episodes across multiple seasons.
The Dark Side of Fame
Despite the glitz and glamour, Holly's early years on Geordie Shore were marked by intense scrutiny, cyberbullying, and mental health struggles. In her autobiography Not Quite a Geordie, Holly revealed the harsh realities she faced after appearing on the show. Facebook groups were created mocking her appearance, with one called "Holly Hagan is the biggest embarrassment to T-side" attracting 5,000 members. When a whale washed up on Red Car Beach, trolls cruelly compared it to Holly.
The abuse wasn't just online—Holly's family home was vandalized, eggs were thrown at their house, and the press hounded them. "I wanted the ground to swallow me up. I wanted to move to another country and I wanted to change my name because I felt like I'd not only ruined my own life, but I felt like I'd ruined my entire families," Holly revealed in a recent podcast interview.
Behind the scenes, the production environment was equally challenging. Holly disclosed that producers pushed the cast to go out every night with minimal sleep, creating an environment designed to manufacture drama. "We were coerced into being [together] and they meant that literally," Holly explained, revealing how the show manipulated relationships for ratings.
Childhood Trauma and Bullying
Holly's struggles didn't begin with fame. In her autobiography, she opened up about experiencing severe bullying during her school years. At the end of year eight, Holly was attacked by three girls who beat her from the top of a long road all the way down to the shops after she innocently hugged a boy whose girlfriend saw them.
"They'd rip my hair out, kick me in the face. Every Sunday this would happen and every Monday I'd be scared to go into school," Holly recalled. These experiences, combined with her father leaving when she was seven, contributed to deep-seated insecurities. "It's your first heartbreak, isn't it? Every single time I would come back from seeing him, I would be in bed crying for 3 days," she shared.
Toxic Relationships and Rock Bottom
Holly's most public relationship was with fellow Geordie Shore star Kyle Christie. The couple's on-again, off-again romance played out across multiple seasons, captivating audiences with its volatility. However, Holly has since described this relationship as her "biggest trauma" that brought her to "complete rock bottom".
The producers pushed Holly and Kyle to stay together for the show even when their relationship was crumbling. "We were on the verge of splitting up before we went to Greece, but because we'd left the series before so happy, MTV wanted us to go back in as that happy couple. So we tried, and we failed," Holly revealed.
After their final breakup in March 2017, Holly shared an Instagram post explaining, "Kyle and I amicably split a few weeks ago. No one did anything wrong...We had an intense three years together, but it just reached a natural conclusion". Looking back, Holly now recognizes this painful experience as pivotal to her growth. "The person I became from that experience, the boundaries I established that I never had, the self-esteem I built for myself...it's incredible," she reflected.
Finding True Love with Jacob Blyth
Holly's life took a transformative turn when she met professional footballer Jacob Blyth in July 2017. Unlike her previous relationships, this one was built on genuine connection and mutual respect. The couple got engaged and married in a stunning Ibiza wedding in June 2022 at the luxurious Aguas de Ibiza hotel, with 56 guests in attendance.
The wedding featured Holly's Geordie Shore sisters Charlotte Crosby and Sophie Kasaei as bridesmaids, along with Nathan Henry. In a delightfully quirky touch that showcased Holly's personality, the evening party included a Yorkshire pudding gravy fountain—a detail that delighted fans.
Jacob, who burst into tears when he saw Holly walking down the aisle, is clearly smitten with his wife. "I turned back around and This Year's Love by David Gray was playing and I heard this big gasp, which meant the bride was coming," Jacob recalled.
Motherhood and New Challenges
In June 2023, Holly and Jacob welcomed their son Alpha-Jax, marking a new chapter in Holly's life. However, the transition to motherhood wasn't the picture-perfect experience she'd imagined. "The biggest misconception about being a new mum is that you're going to have glorious days in coffee shops and soft play centres, and that postpartum is just this beautiful, chilled-out time. Honestly, it couldn't be further from the truth in my case," Holly admitted.
Holly suffered from postpartum anxiety, constantly worrying about her son's safety. "I know this sounds morbid, but I just kept thinking that at any point Alpha-Jax could potentially die. We didn't even have visitors for weeks because I worried that he might catch something," she revealed.
The physical and emotional changes also affected her marriage. Holly candidly discussed experiencing a loss of libido after giving birth, to the point where she told Jacob, "Listen, if you don't touch me ever again, I'm not even bothered". Communication proved crucial in navigating this challenge. "As soon as I said, this is how I'm feeling...all of a sudden everything was so much better because that pressure was taken off," Holly explained.
From Cosmetic Surgery to Fitness Transformation
Holly's relationship with her body has been a long and complicated journey. Inspired by reality star Katie Price, Holly spent £30,000 on cosmetic procedures over the years. She had her first boob job at 18, went from an FF to a GG cup less than a year later, and underwent three Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs) within a few months. She also had lip fillers and Botox, which left her with what she called "sausage lips".
In 2019, Holly had a breast reduction from an FF to a DD cup, marking the beginning of her journey away from cosmetic enhancements. "I regret everything," Holly later admitted, recognizing how society's impossible body standards had influenced her decisions during her vulnerable late teens and early twenties.
Becoming a Fitness Mogul
Holly's true transformation began when she discovered sustainable fitness and nutrition. After years of promoting "skinny coffees" and "skinny teas" without understanding the science behind them, Holly found a trainer who taught her how to properly fuel her body while losing weight.
Determined to help others avoid her mistakes, Holly pursued formal qualifications. She became a certified nutrition coach and earned her Level 3 Personal Trainer certification—all while raising a newborn. "After being uneducated my whole life trying every diet product and surgery you could think of. I finally got it! I made it my mission to share what I had learnt and decided I needed to get properly qualified to do so!" Holly announced proudly.
Holly co-founded Team Fitty Mama, a fitness program and app specifically designed for busy mums and beginners. The program focuses on 20-minute at-home workouts and sustainable nutrition, helping women achieve their goals without deprivation or extreme measures. "Eating everything you love and crave is a huge key to success. The more we cut out the more we crave. If you allow the foods you love daily without guilt you are far more likely to succeed long term," Holly explains in her content.
Her own transformation has been remarkable. Holly lost 47-50 pounds in the 15 months following Alpha-Jax's birth, documenting her journey transparently on social media. "Losing 30lb in 6 months post partum whilst eating the foods I love and giving just 20 mins per day to exercise," Holly shared, inspiring thousands of women following similar paths.
Continuing to Work Through Grief
In her statement about Darci's death, Holly emphasized her commitment to supporting her family financially during this difficult time. "Right now my job is to support my family in any way that I can to ensure they don't have to worry about work/finances. Any posts you see this month are pre-recorded and scheduled ahead of time. I will be continuing to work so they do not have to," she wrote.
Despite her immense grief, Holly expressed a sense of spiritual connection with her late sister. "I'm not sure if I'm grieving as I expected, but I genuinely feel that she has given me immense strength and is watching over us as our guardian angel. We love you dearly, baby girl. Forever 19," Holly concluded her tribute.
A Legacy of Resilience
Holly Hagan's story is one of remarkable resilience and transformation. From a bullied teenager desperate for acceptance to a reality TV star vilified by millions, from toxic relationships to true love, from body dysmorphia to body positivity, and from self-destruction to self-empowerment—Holly has emerged as a powerful voice for authenticity and growth.
Now, as she faces the devastating loss of her baby sister, Holly once again demonstrates the strength she's cultivated throughout her tumultuous journey. With her husband Jacob, her son Alpha-Jax, and her loyal Geordie Shore family by her side, Holly continues to inspire others with her honesty, vulnerability, and unwavering determination to support those she loves.
As fans and followers send their condolences and support, Holly's message is clear: despite the unimaginable pain, she will continue to honor Darci's memory while being there for her family in every way possible. "Goodnight baby girl you are and have always been so loved," Holly captioned a photo with her sister—a simple yet profound testament to a love that transcends even death.
