Brenda Edwards reveals being on Loose Women is helping her ‘deal’ with the death of son Jamal

Breda Edwards has revealed that being on Loose Women is helping her ‘deal’ with the tragic death of her son Jamal. 

The former X Factor star, 53, was left devastated when music mogul Jamal Edwards died in February, aged just 31, from cardiac arrhythmia after taking ‘recreational drugs’.

And in a new interview, Brenda says how being home is ‘not good for me’ and she admits it’s ‘important’ she keeps busy as she tends to ‘overthink’ while alone.

The star returned to the ITV daytime panel in April just two months after her son’s passing, with Brenda supported by her Loose Women pals. 

Detailing how being on the programme is a great comfort to her, Brenda told the Daily Star: ‘It was important for me to get back to doing something. When you’re left in your own head space, you start second guessing and you start overthinking things. Being at home… that’s not good for me. I want to keep busy.’

The singer went on to say that if her son were still alive, he would be encouraging her to pick herself up from her low moments.

She said: ‘My son Jamal was such a hard-worker. I am inspired by him to this day. If he was here, I know he would be saying to me, “Come on Mummy, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get on with it”.

‘So it was important for me to be back on the show. That’s the way I’m dealing with it. I’m not saying the way I deal with it right or wrong, it’s just what works for me. But I’ve had a lot of trauma and this is the best way I can deal with it.’

Brenda added that the show have been ‘really supportive’, and that the support she receives from both her colleagues and the audience is ‘keeping me going’.

Despite her brave face, behind the scenes, the West End star is still battling to cope with her emotions over the loss of her child, adding to the publication that people should ‘never have to go through this’.

Brenda reflected that the amount of trauma and pain she’s faced with her life is ‘almost laughable’ remarking that one ‘couldn’t write’ what has happened to her.

However, in an attempt to see a positive side in sharing her heartache, Brenda say that if she could help just one person by opening up, then she’s ‘happy’.

Earlier this month, Brenda teared up on Loose Women as she read out a letter sent to her from King Charles following the death of her son Jamal. 

The performer struggled to hold back her tears as she read the letter for the first time since receiving it after the unexpected death of Jamal in February.

She recalled being at home when she heard a knock on the door and found a smartly-dressed man waiting with a bouquet of white roses.

He handed her the flowers and a letter from the King, passing on his condolences and thanking Jamal for his hard work.

A visibly emotional Brenda revealed it said: ‘Dear Miss Edwards, I particularly wanted to write and say how desperately sorry to hear about the tragic news of your son Jamal. 

‘I can only begin to imagine what an immense and aching gap he will leave in your life.’

‘My heart goes out to you more than I can ever say. I will never forget Jamal’s dedication and support in helping with my Prince’s Trust over the years. His commitment as an ambassador has made the most enormous difference to the trust’s work and has helped to change the lives of countless young people.’

King Charles recounted: ‘I have such fond memories of the times I met him and can ill afford in this country to lose someone exceptionally special as your dear son.

‘I feel this letter can only be hopelessly inadequate under such soul destroying circumstances and will probably be no comfort of whatsoever in making your sense of anguish any easier to bear.’ 

Following Jamal’s shock death, Brenda sharing his cause of death in a statement after an inquest was opened. 

His heartbroken mother, Brenda, described him as ‘a beautiful and selfless person’ in a statement read to the inquest. Earlier this year she said she wanted his death to ‘help drive more conversation about the unpredictability of recreational drugs’.

Jamal was awarded an MBE in 2014 for his services to music and he was an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust.