Jason Watkins pays heartbreaking tribute to late daughter Maude on her 11th birthday after she died of sepsis
ACTOR Jason Watkins has paid a heartbreaking tribute to his late daughter Maude on what would have been her 11th birthday.
The 53-year-old star - known for his roles in Line Of Duty, Trollied and The Crown - said he lit a candle for her this morning.
Maude died aged two from sepsis after being sent home from hospital on New Year's Eve - before dying in the night.
Posting on Twitter today he wrote: "I lit a candle this morning, as the sun came up as I set off for work - for my beautiful daughter Maudie who’s birthday it is today.
";Always in my thoughts and in my heart for ever. I seem to kiss her more and more each year on these days. #HoldingItTogether."
Jason left Loose Women viewers in tears last year when he revealed the heartbreaking moment he found his daughter dead.
He said: "In the morning our other daughter, who shared a room at the time, came in in the morning and said: 'I can't wake Maude.'
"She had died on the morning of New Year. It's almost Dickensian that in modern medicine that could happen.
"It's had a cataclysmic effect on our family. The first time sepsis was mentioned was six months later, in the inquest."
He added: "What sepsis does is lurks underneath presenting symptoms. With Maude that was breathing difficulties and a chest infection."
Symptoms of sepsis
The NHS advises that you should go to A&E or call 999 if your child (under five) has any of these symptoms:
- Looks mottled, bluish or pale
- Is very lethargic or difficult to wake
- Feels abnormally cold to touch
- Is breathing very fast
- Has a rash that does not fade when you press it
- Has a fit or convulsion
He also explained how he thought Maude had "flu or a heavy cold" and took her to a GP - but got told she had a chest infection.
Fearing something more serious was going on, the family went to A&E but were discharged and sent home with antibiotics.
Jason said: "We went again the next day and the symptoms were worse. She was having breathing difficulties.
"Clara and I drove her at breakneck speed down to a hospital. She was losing consciousness.
"We ran through A&E and were seen by the consultant. But again she was given a standard treatment. We were discharged again, her temperature was falling and she seemed better.