NEW HEARBREAKING!!! EastEnders star Simone Lahbib opens up about ‘distressing time’ following brother’s tragic death
EastEnders star Simone Lahbib has opened up about going through as ‘distressing time’ as she provided an insight into her brother’s tragic death.
The Scottish actress, 60, made her debut on the BBC soap as Katy Lewis back in 2020. Upon her arrival viewers learned that she was the mum of Rosy Ayling-Ellis’ Frankie Lewis and the social worker who abused Danny Dyer’s Mick Carter as a child.
aty was last seen in 2021 when she was sentenced to ten years imprisonment and is placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely for what she did to Mick, who she apologised to before being sentenced.
Outside of EastEnders, Simone has appeared on hit shows such as Bad Girls as Helen Stewart and on the ITV crime drama Wire in the Blood as DCI Alex Fielding.
Sadly, Simone’s brother Stephen passed away in November 2024 at Strathcarron Hospice just six months after being informed that he had terminal cancer and was told he had two years to live.
With Strathcarron Hospice launching their 2026 Campaign ‘What Makes Life Meaningful’ as part of their 45th anniversary celebrations, Simone has praised the hospice for the care they provided Stephen prior to his death.
Stephen was brought to the hospital as his condition began to worsen, with his parents, who were both in their 80s, initially serving as his main carers. Strathcarron’s staff helped Stephen with his medical needs, including being available for emergency call-outs.
Simone said: “Strathcarron’s Hospice at Home team was invaluable toward the end. They were so lovely, understanding and supportive. It was a very difficult, distressing time and we came to rely on them.
“When the time came for Stephen to be admitted to the Hospice, I imagined that it would be more hospital-like and sterile, with nurses who were caring and efficient but overstretched. But the staff made not only Stephen, but his family and friends feel welcome and important.
Stephen was a very sociable man. I believe he made some good friends during his time there. The kindness and support continued towards our family, even after his death. Stephen was not only cared for at Strathcarron Hospice – he was loved. My family and I can’t thank them all enough for all they did.”
The actress went on to say that one of her brother’s main goals was to finish songs for his band Mama Mayhem’s album prior to his passing. The album Hangman was released shortly after his death. Like Stephen I’ve always loved and cared for my family and friends as a priority. Since his death, I’m more aware of how precious and fragile life is. Stephen wanted to make every moment count and in his music he lives on.
“It will be treasured forever and played often. He loved his family and friends before anything else. His biggest passion though was his music. He was a singer, songwriter as well as a very talented graphic designer. I’ve never seen so many people attend a funeral as I did Stephen’s, including some of the nurses from the Hospice. It says so much about Stephen, and the lovely nurses who looked after him,” Simone said.
The hospice added: “For Stephen, meaning came from connection. Time with family and friends. Music. Singing. Moments of joy, even in the hardest days.”