Love Island's Shaughna Phillips 'almost made homeless' during dad's cancer battle

Love Island star Shaughna Phillips has revealed she was once almost made homeless.

The 27-year-old former Islander, who appeared on the first ever winter series of the ITV2 dating show, recently opened up about the financial struggles faced by her family as her late father Eddie was dying of pancreatic cancer.

The family fell into financial hardship after Eddie’s cancer diagnosis in September 2015 left the self-employed cab driver unable to work.

With the help of two grants from Macmillan Cancer Support, Shaughna and her family were fortunately able to stay sheltered, with the charity also helping to secure them new accommodation.

Speaking recently, Shaughna credited the charity as the “only reason [they] weren’t homeless”.

She told Mail Online: “My dad was diagnosed with cancer in September 2015. He was a black cab driver in London. They’re self-employed and work for themselves – most people don’t realise that.

“So when he couldn’t work anymore, he didn’t get paid. There’s no sick leave when you’re self-employed.

“When people get cancer, all you think about is ‘god I hope they get through’. You don’t think about the impact on the whole family. We couldn’t pay the rent. Macmillan came to the rescue.

“My mum as a lawyer contributed as much as she could, but it was quite a bit of shame for my dad, not being able to support the family financially. It had an impact on his mental state.”

Eddie sadly passed away in December 2016.

Speaking about the impact of her father’s death on the Real Full Monty On Ice last year, Shaughna said: “He had cancer for 18 months and it completely changed my life and my perspective of what I thought was important.

“When my dad was ill, I felt like no-one had any idea what I was going through, even my close friends.

“So, if anyone watching this is going through what I’ve been through losing him and can then feel like they’re not alone, I’d be so happy to be able to do that.”

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk