On Mother’s Day, March 15, 2026, the British soap opera community was shaken by the heartbreaking announcement that Helen Webb, mother of actors Charley Webb and Jamie Lomas, had died after a courageous 12-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The news, shared by both siblings on their social media accounts, resonated deeply with fans and colleagues, not just for its timing but for the unflinching honesty with which the family confronted the realities of living with dementia.
Jamie Lomas, known for his long-running role as Warren Fox in Hollyoaks, was the first to share the devastating news. In a moving Instagram post, he wrote, “Sadly we lost our beautiful mum today on Mother’s Day. After a 12-year battle with Alzheimer’s, she finally decided it was time to leave us. For anyone who knows what it’s like to have someone with this awful illness, you will know that you lose them not once but twice.” According to Daily Mail, Jamie’s words captured a sentiment familiar to countless families touched by Alzheimer’s: the sense of losing a loved one twice—first to the slow erosion of memory and personality, then to the finality of death.
Jamie’s tribute continued with a heartfelt farewell: “You are now at peace mum and we love you and we will miss you so so much. You were the first person to love me before the world even knew I existed. Good night mum R I P.” He also expressed deep gratitude to those who had cared for Helen: “I wanted to say a huge thank you to all the wonderful staff who cared for her on a daily basis and for those who helped her in some way. You truly are all amazing people.” (el-balad.com, Mirror)
Charley Webb, best known for her portrayal of Debbie Dingle in Emmerdale, echoed her brother’s pain and gratitude in her own emotional post. Sharing a childhood photo of herself kissing her mother, she wrote, “My beautiful Mum left us today on Mother’s Day. 15/03/2026. The past twelve years were stolen from us, that’s the only way to describe this feeling. ‘The long goodbye.’ Thank you to everyone for all of your support, especially everyone that’s looked after her so well for the last 3 years. And to all of my closest people, I couldn’t live without you.” (Express)
The siblings’ tributes sparked an outpouring of condolences from fans and fellow actors alike. Brooke Vincent, another soap star, commented, “Sending you all of my love Jamie.” Anthony Quinn, a colleague from Hollyoaks, added, “Gutted for you all. Sending you so much love! Helen was a wonderful woman, one of the best! I always enjoyed seeing her and having a laugh. Rest easy, always here for you brother.” Nikki Sanderson, too, reached out: “Sending you so much love to you and your family. If you need anything we are here for you xxx.” (Daily Mail)
Helen Webb’s journey with Alzheimer’s began with subtle signs that were easy to dismiss. Charley Webb has spoken candidly about the difficulty of recognizing and accepting her mother’s early-onset dementia, which was diagnosed when Helen was just 64. On Good Morning Britain, Charley recalled, “She was 64 and she got the diagnosis. But of course, the symptoms come before that. You know, it takes time. She actually forgot something quite huge, which is quite a personal thing, and I just knew in that moment it was something that she wouldn’t have forgotten. I think everyone around me at the time was like, you’re being dramatic, everything’s fine. I was like, ‘No, something is not right.’”
For years, the family kept Helen’s struggle private, in part out of respect for her dignity and love of glamour. Charley explained on The Life Of Bryony podcast, “My mum was all about makeup and being glamorous and I just felt like I wanted to protect her privacy. Even though she wouldn’t have known that it was being spoken about, I think in the back of my mind, I was like she would hate this. To be honest, I still don’t think I’ve processed it. They say that you grieve when they’re here and you grieve when they’re gone.”
Yet, as the years went by, Charley felt compelled to speak publicly about her mother’s condition—to help others feel less alone and to support Alzheimer’s charities. “I felt selfish not talking about it because I knew how alone I’d felt, so I thought if I can just do a little bit more for the charity, I really want to do that. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so alone as when that diagnosis happened,” she shared, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The family’s openness has brought renewed attention to the struggles faced by those living with dementia and their caregivers. Jamie Lomas, reflecting on his mother’s 75th birthday last year, told his followers, “Dementia can be very cruel and very frustrating for family members, but we remember, that she was once like me and you and unfortunately her mind just doesn’t work the same anymore. Don’t ever forget that your mum loved you before the world even knew you existed. I love you mum. Happy 75th birthday.” (Mirror)
Their sibling Cassie Lomas, a celebrity makeup artist, has also been a source of strength for the family, though she has maintained a lower public profile throughout their mother’s illness. Together, the Webb-Lomas siblings have navigated a landscape familiar to many: the slow, painful transformation of a loved one and the bittersweet gratitude for the professionals who help along the way.
Jamie’s words—“you lose them not once but twice”—have struck a chord with many who have witnessed the relentless progression of Alzheimer’s. The disease, a leading cause of dementia, strips away memory, personality, and eventually, the ability to recognize even the closest loved ones. As Jamie put it, “Our mum was always so strong and to watch her over the years slowly turn into someone who is just a shell of who they once were is very difficult to take and watch.”
The timing of Helen Webb’s passing on Mother’s Day added a poignant layer to the family’s grief. For many, the day is a celebration; for others, it’s a reminder of loss. This year, the Webb-Lomas family’s public tributes transformed their private pain into a catalyst for broader conversations about dementia care, the emotional toll on families, and the irreplaceable role of dedicated carers.
As the tributes continue to pour in from fans and fellow actors, one thing is clear: Helen Webb’s legacy endures not only in the careers and character of her children but in the honest, unguarded way they have shared their story. Their willingness to speak about the “long goodbye” of Alzheimer’s has helped shine a light on the realities faced by so many, offering comfort, solidarity, and—perhaps most importantly—a reminder that no one has to face such loss alone.