Greg Shepherd, husband of television personality Billie Shepherd, has announced the sudden death of his father Dave, saying the 77-year-old "still had so much more to give." The reality star posted a lengthy tribute on Instagram on Thursday along with a gallery of photographs and videos, saying he was "gutted and heartbroken" to share the news.
In his post, Greg said Dave had treated him as his own since the age of four and described the role his father played in his life across celebrations and everyday moments. "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," he wrote. "You never missed a birthday, a celebration, or any important moment. You always had time for me and my sisters and grandkids."
Greg shared memories of family gatherings and the role his father played in friends' lives, adding that "all my friends had a relationship with you too, the parties in our bar will never be the same without you." He said he could now only aim to "make you proud" and to "learn how to live with just 36 years of memories, love, and happiness." The post closed with a personal farewell: "Until we meet again, our kid… I love you more than you'll ever know."
Billie Shepherd left a message in the comments calling Dave "the best father in law, dad and grandad anyone could ever wish for," and said life would "never feel the same without you." Other family members and friends, including Billie’s sister Sam and former The Only Way Is Essex star Jordan Brook, extended condolences. Viewers of the couple's ITVBe series The Family Diaries also reacted, recalling moments when Dave appeared on the show and sang to newborn granddaughter Margot.
Greg's Instagram post included images and video clips featuring Dave with his grandchildren and footage from a recent family holiday. The couple have routinely featured extended family on The Family Diaries, where viewers saw domestic and celebratory scenes that many wrote about in response to the announcement.
The Shepherds have faced recent health challenges: last month Billie revealed she had been diagnosed with Lyme disease after experiencing prolonged pain and fatigue that left her sometimes bed-bound. She told The Mirror that doctors took weeks to determine the cause of her symptoms and that she only began to see improvement after consulting a holistic practitioner. Greg has been publicly supportive of Billie during her illness.
No details about funeral arrangements or the circumstances of Dave's sudden death were provided in Greg's post. The family has not released a formal statement beyond the Instagram tributes, and representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.