“Today our hearts ache”: Dr. Alex George pays a sincere tribute to his late brother Llŷr when he leaves him an empty chair at the table during Christmas dinner
Alex George paid a heartfelt tribute to his late younger brother Llŷr on Christmas Day, sharing a post with his 1.9million Instagram followers.
The former Love Island star, 31, left an empty chair at the table for his sibling during the family’s celebratory dinner and shared that “our heart aches” tonight.
He lost his younger brother in 2020 after Llŷr sadly took his own life when he was just 19 years old.
“Today, our hearts ache”: Alex George wrote a heartfelt tribute to his late brother Llŷr on Christmas Day as he left him an empty chair at the table during the festive dinner
Alex posted a picture of an empty chair occupied with crackers and cutlery and explained his heartache.
The doctor captioned the photo on behalf of his other family members: “The empty chair. your laughter and your smile. You roll your eyes at dad’s horrible dad jokes. The fight over who had the most pigs in blankets. Your love and your presence.
“Today our hearts hurt. Because you’re not here. The empty seat at the Christmas table is never occupied. But we will never forget you and your love will always fill our hearts.
“You have shaped our lives forever and we remember the past Christmas days with joy and love. With fond memories and gratitude for gracing the family table.
Terrible: Alex posted a picture of an empty chair occupied with crackers and cutlery and explained his heartbreak
“If you are reading this and your family is not complete this Christmas. Remember that it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved. You are not alone we send love from my family to yours
‘Merry Christmas Llŷr, we love you. We miss you. Mom, Dad, Elliott and Alex x’
The family then took a stroll along the beach later in the day, with the doctor saying they are thinking about “those who aren’t with us”.
Family: Alex shared the message for Llŷr on behalf of his family (Alex and Llŷr previously spoke to their parents)
Reflecting: The family took a stroll along the beach later in the day, with the doctor saying they were reflecting on “those who aren’t with us”.
And that Christmas also marked another milestone for Alex, as it was his first since he was sober.
Although it’s usually a time of overindulgence and daytime drinks, earlier this month the doctor decided to quit drinking – sharing that it was “a terrible mix with ADHD”.
Alex still managed to join in the celebrations as he sipped on non-alcoholic beers from brands like Brewdog and Big Drop Brewing Co.
Earlier this month, Alex boldly decided to give up alcohol due to the negative effects it had on his ADHD and the lack of positive benefits for both physical and mental health.
He insisted he didn’t have a “serious problem” with alcohol, but had become “sober-curious” as he got older.
Sober: Although it’s usually a time of overindulgence and daytime drinks, earlier this month the doctor decided to quit drinking – sharing that it was ‘a terrible mix with ADHD’
Taking to Instagram, Alex explained that alcohol is a “horrible mix with ADHD” and has “no real benefits” for physical and mental health.
But grief for his brother also played a role in the decision to quit alcohol, he said: “I want to feel the grief for my brother, process loved ones leaving my life, and see life with clarity and color, knowing that I can give 100% for the things that are important to me and that I enjoy. I want to meet sober Alex and what sober Alex wants out of life.’
“After reading Catherine Gray’s The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober, I’m telling you all this because accountability is my friend.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. My site is a community, you are all my family and friends. I need you as much as I *hope* you need me.
‘Sober-curious’: He insisted he doesn’t have a ‘serious problem’ with alcohol but has become ‘sober-curious’ as he’s aged