Charley Webb, the renowned Emmerdale actress, has bravely shared the profound emotional turmoil she experienced while bidding farewell to her late mother, Helen Webb, who passed away on Mother's Day after a grueling 12-year struggle with Alzheimer's disease. The 38-year-old star, alongside her brother Jamie Lomas, 50, a Hollyoaks actor, announced their mother's death on March 15, 2026, marking a poignant end to a long and painful journey with the debilitating condition.
An Intimate and Heartbreaking Farewell
Just two weeks after Helen's passing, Charley chose to spend private time with her mother in the chapel of rest, a decision she described as both challenging and essential for her grieving process. Opening up to her 595,000 followers on social media, Charley expressed the raw intensity of the moment, stating that the experience was "actually much harder than I thought it would be" and that saying goodbye "nearly broke me." Despite the emotional weight, she emphasized her relief at having taken this step, highlighting the personal significance of the visit for closure and remembrance.
A Family's Public Tribute
Charley and Jamie publicly honored their mother with heartfelt Instagram posts on the day of her death. Charley shared a nostalgic childhood photo of herself kissing Helen on the cheek, captioning it with a tribute that reflected on the "long goodbye" of Alzheimer's, which she described as having "stolen" the past twelve years from their family. She extended gratitude to the caregivers and support network that had assisted Helen in her final years. Meanwhile, Jamie posted a more recent image of himself embracing his mother, acknowledging the dual loss experienced by families dealing with dementia—losing a loved one both to the illness and ultimately to death.
The Devastating Impact of Early-Onset Dementia
Charley has been vocal about her mother's battle with early-onset dementia, which began when Helen was just 64 years old. In a previous appearance on Good Morning Britain, Charley recounted the initial signs, including a significant memory lapse that she instinctively recognized as abnormal, despite others dismissing her concerns. She urged others facing similar suspicions to persist in seeking a diagnosis, noting that her family was initially "fobbed off" with alternative explanations like water infections, which can mimic dementia symptoms.
Advocacy and Awareness
The actress has used her platform to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease, which the NHS defines as the most common type of dementia—an umbrella term for conditions affecting brain functions such as memory. In a 2023 revelation and subsequent discussions, including on The Life of Bryony podcast in January 2026, Charley admitted to compartmentalizing her grief and struggling to visit her mother without becoming emotional. She emphasized the importance of sharing such experiences to combat the isolation felt by many dealing with dementia, stating that it helps others realize they are not alone in their pain.
Broader Reflections on Dementia Care
Charley's story resonates with many, as highlighted when Good Morning Britain host Ed Balls shared a parallel experience with his own mother's dementia diagnosis, recalling an incident where she attempted to serve an uncooked chicken casserole. This underscores the varied and often subtle symptoms of the disease, which affects individuals differently. Charley's advocacy stresses the need for timely diagnosis and persistent medical consultation, advising families to "not take no for an answer" when seeking answers for loved ones showing signs of cognitive decline.
The Webb family's journey through Helen's Alzheimer's battle and her passing on Mother's Day serves as a poignant reminder of the emotional toll of dementia, blending personal grief with a call for greater understanding and support for those affected by this devastating illness.
