This Morning’s medical expert Dr. Uchenna Okoye, has sadly passed away at the age of 53 after a “sudden illness”, leaving her young daughter and her family devastated.
The cosmetic dentist made numerous appearances on the ITV show, giving advice to viewers at home. She was also a regular guest on 10 Years Younger in 10 Days, Daybreak and BBC Breakfast.
A heartbreaking statement on Uchenna’s Instagram said she fell ill at home on Friday, September 15 and died shortly afterwards. Her family has not given a cause of death.
It said: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the death of the popular and respected cosmetic dentist Dr. Uchenna Okoye, who died at home on Friday, September 15, 2023 after an illness.”
“At this time we ask for your prayers for her young daughter, her family, her London Smiling Dental Group staff team and her friends, all of whom are struggling to come to terms with her loss.
RIP: This Morning’s medical expert Dr. Uchenna Okoye, has sadly passed away at the age of 53 after a “sudden illness”.
The cosmetic dentist made numerous appearances on the ITV show, giving advice to viewers at home. She is pictured here at Daybreak
“We ask that you respect Uchenna’s family’s wishes for privacy during this very difficult time.”
“Uchenna’s sparkle touched the lives of everyone she met and made her a star in the makeover show “10 Years Younger” followed by “10 Years Younger in 10 Days” where her passion and compassion shine through Jump canvas.
“For the past twenty years, her in-depth knowledge of dentistry and her incredible chairside approach have made her the go-to person for all things dental and a popular writer for radio, television and the women’s consumer press,” it continued.
Tributes quickly poured in for the TV regular, with one fan writing: “This is absolutely devastating… sending lots of love to her family.”
Another wrote: “It breaks my heart to read this.” I loved Uchenna. I can’t really process this terrible news.’
A third commented: “Beautiful Uchenna! An industry expert who quickly became a friend to many of us. So warm, generous and funny.
“I extend my condolences to her family and friends.”
Another follower wrote: “Devastating news.” My love and prayers go out to her family.
A statement published on Uchenna recounted how she fell ill at home on September 15 and sadly passed away
“We will all miss your infectious energy and warmth.”
While someone else shared: “Absolutely shocked by this devastating news!” I still can’t believe it.
“She was the kindest, most loving person I knew briefly. “Rest in peace and my condolences go out to your family and your little girl.”
The news comes just days after Holly Willoughby and This Morning hosted tributes to guest Matty Lock following his sudden death aged 19.
Holly and co-host Dermot O’Leary paid tribute to a “truly unique” and “loving” member of the studio.
The “adorable” teenager regularly appeared on the show to review vacuum cleaners, which he has been obsessed with since the age of two when he got his first toy vacuum cleaner, Henry.
The popular young man was also a member of the Labor Party and recently spoke of his pride in becoming a councilor in his home town of Maghull on Merseyside.
Sharing the news at the start of Monday’s show, Dermot said: “A member of the This Morning family, Matty Lock – you may remember Matty – sadly passed away this weekend.”
Sad news: Holly Willoughby and Dermot O’Leary had an emotional confrontation with Matty Lock, a “lovely guy” and “much loved” team member
Gone: Matthew Lock, 19, known as Matty, sadly passed away suddenly at the age of 19
Passion: Matty had an “infectious passion” for gadgets and had been fascinated by vacuum cleaners since the age of two
Willoughby added: “He was a very popular member of our team, always bringing joy and more to our studio with his infectious passion for gadgets and technology.” “He was truly one of a kind.”
O’Leary continued, “Yes, God bless him.” His love of vacuum cleaners began at the age of two when he got his first toy, Henry.
“Then he became a politician, an activist and a popular member of this show. “He’s a nice guy.”
“Matthew will be missed by all of us here and we extend our deepest condolences to his family.” “It was incredibly sad and shocking news to hear yesterday,” concluded Willoughby.
Matty appeared regularly on This Morning from a young age, including at the age of 15 where he revealed a segment about the best vacuum cleaners you could buy this summer.
The £4,569-a-term private day school Merchant Taylors’ Boys’ School in Crosby, Liverpool, reported his appearance on the show on its website at the time.
Matty alongside Holly Willoughby and former presenter Phillip Schofield. As a 15-year-old, he appeared on the show in a segment about the best vacuum cleaners you can buy
News of the former private school student’s death was confirmed by friend and Labor MP for Sefton Central, Bill Esterson. He wrote on X: “Many people will be devastated by the news that @CllrMLock has passed away.”
Matty last posted on his Facebook page in April, where he talked about how he had been able to “hit the ground running to meet the concerns and priorities of Maghull and residents” since his election.
By the age of 13, Matty had collected 150 vacuum cleaners in his collection.
He became interested in vacuum cleaners at the age of two when he got his first toy, Henry. At the age of five, he vacuumed the family home.
At the time, he said he cleaned up by repairing and selling old machines, while also making repairs to all the cleaners on the market.
He said: “I remember in the fourth or fifth year I had a rough idea of how to take it apart and figure out how to make it work. That’s when the collecting started.”
“I started finding machines, getting parts and being able to put them together to make a new vacuum cleaner.”
“I became more and more interested in rarer machines.
“I like the way they work and see how they can be improved.” I like seeing how they have evolved over the years – different machines do different jobs.
This Morning said: “His family came into the studio and they were so proud that he had turned a childhood hobby into a career. ‘We will miss him’
“I get them on eBay or Facebook sales pages.” I find them in dumpsters and people have even started leaving them outside my back door.
“Some of the Henrys I have are 40 years old.” I like to repair them, but when they are beyond repair, I turn two vacuum cleaners into one good one.
“My collection is mostly Henrys and Dysons.” I have original versions that are made of metal and Bakelite. My collection now numbers several hundred.
“They are all in my workshop in my garden where I do all my vacuum cleaner repairs.”
He spent about ten hours a week repairing broken vacuum cleaners and estimated that he had repaired around 500 and sold 300 units.
From the money he earned from selling the permanently installed machines, he invested the money in more broken vacuum cleaners.
He added: “I just find it so satisfying to get them from places like builders’ yards where they’re full of plaster – I can clean them, give them a nice look and bring them up to a really good standard.”