The reality TV star shared a touching family photo on Christmas Day as she opened up about a difficult time for the family
Billie Shepherd has shared her feelings about a difficult Christmas period amidst rumours of a rift with her sister, Sam Faiers.
The mother-of-three took to social media on Christmas Day, posting a family photograph with her businessman husband Greg Shepherd and their children.
The quintet smiled warmly for the camera, positioned in front of a stunning Christmas tree. Yet beneath the cheerful exterior lies heartache, as the family continues to process a recent family loss.
Billie acknowledged their challenging circumstances in her accompanying caption. She penned: “Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. Its an emotional one for us this year, extremely grateful we have each other, enjoy being with your loved ones, celebrate and cherish every moment.”
She concluded her heartfelt message by signing off: “Lots of of love The Sheps.” The post was decorated with various emojis including hearts, a Christmas tree, and stars.
Supporters quickly flooded the comments with messages of comfort and encouragement. One follower commented: “Merry Christmas Sheps. I hope you all have a wonderful day.”
Meanwhile, another added: “Merry Christmas The Sheps sending you all our love and thinking of you all today.”
Back in September, Greg and his family were left shattered following the sudden passing of his father, David. In an emotional tribute at the time, he penned: “I’m gutted and heartbroken to be writing this, but this time last week, my dad Dave passed away suddenly. He was 77, but still had so much more to give, and that’s what makes this so hard.
“From the age of 4, you raised me as your own. You taught me how to be a father, and you made it look simple, you were always present, no matter what. You never missed a birthday, a celebration, or any important moment. You always had time for me and my sisters and grandkids.
“I hope I can be the kind of man you were, Dad, always smiling, always dancing, the most grateful man you could ever meet, and always there for us. All my friends had a relationship with you too, the parties in our bar will never be the same without you.
“I can only try to make you proud, and learn how to live with just 36 years of memories, love, and happiness. Until we meet again, our kid… I love you more than you’ll ever know.”
In other news, fresh claims have emerged suggesting friction between Billie and her younger sibling, Sam. The pair have carved out considerable success in the public eye over the years after initially shooting to stardom on ITV’s The Only Way Is Essex before capitalising on their celebrity status with their own programmes; The Baby Diaries and The Mummy Diaries.
However, this year saw a significant blow for the pair when their latest reality show, Sister Act, flopped and was axed after just one season. Fans have also noticed that the sisters have been conspicuously absent from each other’s social media posts recently.
Sam recently flew off to Lapland, but neither Billie nor their mum, Sue, who usually accompany her on overseas trips, were present.
Sam disclosed the cancellation of her recent show during an online Q&A session with fans. When asked via Instagram about the possibility of another series of Sister Act, she responded: “Billie and I had the best time filming Sister Act last year. It was honestly such a special experience. We don’t have any plans for another series right now as work is pretty full on for both of us.”
Despite Sam’s assertion that the decision was due to their busy schedules, it was reported that poor ratings played a part in Sister Act’s demise. An insider told a news outlet at the time: “Sam hadn’t been on TV in a while and it doesn’t look like viewers missed her.
“Viewing figures weren’t what they hoped, and a lot of the show was based around the sisters selling products, which felt a bit like one long advert.”
Recent reports suggest that Sam is set to spend a “lonely” Christmas, having been seemingly ostracised by her former social circle. It’s been hinted that she now only mingles with work colleagues, and the original Essex crowd have ceased their interactions with her – fans have also noticed her apparent distance from Billie.
An insider revealed to The Sun: “Her old friends in Essex have been talking about how it seems like the only people she spends time with now are the ones she works with – all of the people on her payroll – because nobody else is ever around.”
The source further disclosed: “There’s her business partner, her PA, Billie and her Revive Collagen team and that’s it. She seems to have now been permanently frozen out of her old life by the Essex wives.”
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