Blab Entertainment
Singer Luke Thomas Opens Up About the Day He Told His Daughter the Loss of Girlfriend Ciara Gunning
When the phone rang in a quiet Dublin kitchen, Luke Thomas faced a question he never imagined would come so soon: How do you explain that your love has left the world? On RTÉ Radio 1’s Sunday With Miriam, the Irish singer and Swing Cats star revealed the painful moment he had to tell his eight‑year‑old daughter, Heidi, that his girlfriend, Ciara Gunning, had died.
Ciara Gunning, who had been battling cancer for a year, passed away at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin in January 2025. Thomas first confirmed her death on social media in early February, following the hospital’s private announcement. He described the loss as “absolutely devastating.” Six months later, he opened up about the emotional toll of telling Heidi, who was not yet old enough to grasp the complexities of a terminal illness.
The diagnosis came in March 2025 when Ciara’s symptoms were initially mistaken for a kidney infection. Thomas recalls that the couple had hoped it was a minor illness, but tests revealed a malignant tumour. The treatment plan included chemotherapy and radiotherapy, with the first round completed by summer. Unfortunately, Ciara’s pain returned in September, and her condition deteriorated.
When the news of her death reached Thomas, he felt “utterly helpless.” He had to decide how to communicate the loss to Heidi, who could not yet understand that not all sickness is fatal. A social worker advised him to use clear, concrete language. “The social worker said to me, ‘What have you said to Heidi?’ I said, ‘I need a week or two, because I’ll break down in front of my daughter, and I can’t have that,’ and she said, ‘Well, what have you been saying?’ I said, ‘Ciara’s been very sick.’ And the social worker said, ‘You’re going to have to put a name on that, because that child can’t associate being very sick with someone with a runny nose or someone with the flu. She might think that that would happen to them as well, or their friend at school.’”
Thomas followed the advice and told Heidi that Ciara had been “very sick” and that she had “passed away.” The clarity helped Heidi understand that some illnesses are not survivable, while others are not.
The singer admitted that the loss still triggers him. “I actually can’t talk to her because it will trigger me. It’s taken me a while to even speak about this,” he said. He added that he still has “a lot of work to do” to process the grief.
Ciara had planned to move into Thomas’s house in Tallaght, Dublin, in September or October. Thomas said he has tried twice to relocate her belongings but has been unable to do so. He described the emotional weight of seeing items that remind him of her, such as a custard tin he had thrown away. “I put the custard in the bin the other day, and that triggered me,” he said.
He keeps photographs of Ciara and says she remains present in his life. “I do obviously have photos of her and stuff like that, and she’s with me,” he added.
The interview highlighted the personal challenges faced by those who lose a partner, especially when children are involved. Thomas’s experience underscores the importance of clear communication and professional support in navigating such loss.
The story has drawn attention to the broader issue of cancer care in Ireland. St Vincent’s Hospital, part of the Ireland East Hospital Group, is a major centre for oncology treatment. Its oncology department offers chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and palliative care, as noted in its public information.
For Thomas, the journey continues. He has not announced any new music releases or public appearances following Ciara’s death. The singer’s next public engagement, if any, remains unknown.
The article is based on Thomas’s statements on RTÉ Radio 1 and his social media posts confirming Ciara’s death. No additional sources were consulted.
Ciara Gunning, who had been battling cancer for a year, passed away at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin in January 2025. Thomas first confirmed her death on social media in early February, following the hospital’s private announcement. He described the loss as “absolutely devastating.” Six months later, he opened up about the emotional toll of telling Heidi, who was not yet old enough to grasp the complexities of a terminal illness.
The diagnosis came in March 2025 when Ciara’s symptoms were initially mistaken for a kidney infection. Thomas recalls that the couple had hoped it was a minor illness, but tests revealed a malignant tumour. The treatment plan included chemotherapy and radiotherapy, with the first round completed by summer. Unfortunately, Ciara’s pain returned in September, and her condition deteriorated.
When the news of her death reached Thomas, he felt “utterly helpless.” He had to decide how to communicate the loss to Heidi, who could not yet understand that not all sickness is fatal. A social worker advised him to use clear, concrete language. “The social worker said to me, ‘What have you said to Heidi?’ I said, ‘I need a week or two, because I’ll break down in front of my daughter, and I can’t have that,’ and she said, ‘Well, what have you been saying?’ I said, ‘Ciara’s been very sick.’ And the social worker said, ‘You’re going to have to put a name on that, because that child can’t associate being very sick with someone with a runny nose or someone with the flu. She might think that that would happen to them as well, or their friend at school.’”
Thomas followed the advice and told Heidi that Ciara had been “very sick” and that she had “passed away.” The clarity helped Heidi understand that some illnesses are not survivable, while others are not.
The singer admitted that the loss still triggers him. “I actually can’t talk to her because it will trigger me. It’s taken me a while to even speak about this,” he said. He added that he still has “a lot of work to do” to process the grief.
Ciara had planned to move into Thomas’s house in Tallaght, Dublin, in September or October. Thomas said he has tried twice to relocate her belongings but has been unable to do so. He described the emotional weight of seeing items that remind him of her, such as a custard tin he had thrown away. “I put the custard in the bin the other day, and that triggered me,” he said.
He keeps photographs of Ciara and says she remains present in his life. “I do obviously have photos of her and stuff like that, and she’s with me,” he added.
The interview highlighted the personal challenges faced by those who lose a partner, especially when children are involved. Thomas’s experience underscores the importance of clear communication and professional support in navigating such loss.
The story has drawn attention to the broader issue of cancer care in Ireland. St Vincent’s Hospital, part of the Ireland East Hospital Group, is a major centre for oncology treatment. Its oncology department offers chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and palliative care, as noted in its public information.
For Thomas, the journey continues. He has not announced any new music releases or public appearances following Ciara’s death. The singer’s next public engagement, if any, remains unknown.
The article is based on Thomas’s statements on RTÉ Radio 1 and his social media posts confirming Ciara’s death. No additional sources were consulted.
