Chanita Stephenson has revealed her heartbreak as she announced her mother has passed away.
The reality star, 32, – who appeared on Married At First Sight UK in 2022 – took to her Instagram on Wednesday to reveal the tragic news.
She shared a slew of heartwarming photos of her and her mum, Chondelle, and voiced her devastation.
Chanita wrote: ‘Chondelle Stephenson better known as my strong, beautiful, funny, intelligent, caring, courageous Mother. I miss you so much already’.
She was flooded with messages from her fans and friends, who expressed their condolences, including her former co-stars.
Her fellow MAFS UK stars Megan Wolfe, Sophie Brown, Alexis Economou and Tayah Victoria all commented, with Megan writing: ‘My heart hurts for you. Sending so much love’.
Sophie added: ‘sending so much love chan, you’re an INCREDIBLY strong woman’, while Tayah penned: ‘Oh Chanita, I’m so sorry. Sending you so much love xxxx’
Alexis commented: ‘Heartbroken for you babe. So sorry!! Sending you lots of love and hugs ❤️’.
Vicky Pattison also messaged, writing: ‘I’m so so sorry chanita’ while Love Island star Sharon Gaffka said: ‘Sending you the biggest hug ever Chanita! I’m sorry for your loss’.
Chondelle appeared on MAFS briefly as she supported Chanita on her wedding day to Jordan Emmett-Connelly.
Jordan and Chanita were the show’s ‘golden couple’ after they faced fewer problems throughout their marriage than the other pairs and admitted to ‘caring deeply’ about each other during their final vows.
During the ceremony, Chanita, who said she had put her ‘heart and soul’ into the process, told Jordan: ‘I love who you are and everything you stand for, and I am so excited to see what the future has in store for us.
‘I can’t wait to make plans as a couple and do everything I’ve never done with you. You’re my husband and my naughty partner in crime. I love that you are mine and I am yours and whatever comes next, we will face it all together.’
Jordan also committed to Chanita, who he wed at first sight, telling his ‘warm and caring’ partner that he was so ‘grateful’ to have met her.
He said: ‘I’m ready to give you all the reassurance you want and deserve.
‘I think you’re amazing and regardless of all the hardship we’ve faced I wouldn’t waste a single second of any single day with you.’
However, fans were left shocked when the couple split after filming for the reality TV show ended, when Jordan cut all contact from Chanita.
A source said: ‘Jordan and Chanita’s marriage hasn’t lasted. Chanita tried everything to keep the spark they had in the initial weeks of them meeting alive but a relationship is about two people – and Jordan no longer seemed interested.
‘Once filming for the series had ended, Jordan took a step back, and stopped messaging her completely – Chanita was heartbroken because she really saw a future for them together.’
In the reunion episode, Jordan admitted that he still cared about Chanita, but she later revealed that he had dumped her over FaceTime.
Appearing on spin-off show MAFS UK: Unveiled, Chanita told host AJ Odudu: ‘When we came out of the experiment, Jordan’s efforts changed significantly.
‘I could just see that his heart wasn’t in it, and then he finished with me over FaceTime, and then I knew.
‘I want somebody that values me for me and wants to fight for me, and thinks I’m great!’
The host then called Jordan on FaceTime in front of the live studio audience to explain his actions, and he admitted: ‘Sometimes I don’t think things through properly.’