Rachael Bland's Widower Celebrates Early Christmas With Their Son
The husband of late BBC radio presenter Rachael Bland has shared a glimpse into how he's marking Christmas as he and their son Freddie prepare for their first festive season without her.
Steve Bland from Cheshire shared an Instagram snap of the three-year-old unwrapping an early present of a fire engine, gifted to him by Rachael's mother 'Grandma Hodges',
The post came came after Steve shared his sadness at picking their Christmas tree without Rachael for the first time, saying he'd 'missed her more than ever'.
He's also been proofreading the manuscript for Rachael's memoirs, which will be published in February.
Rachael, presenter of award-winning podcast You, Me and The Big C, which documented her battle with breast cancer, tragically died in September, aged just 40.
The husband of late BBC radio presenter Rachael Bland, Steve, took to Instagram this week to share a glimpse at his first Christmas without her, celebrating with their young son Freddie, 3- seen unwrapping an early present from 'Grandma Hodges'- Rachael's mother
The post came just a week after Steve shared his sadness at picking their Christmas tree without Rachael for the first time, as he faced the first festive season without her
Sharing a snap as little Freddie unwrapped his first Christmas present, Steve wrote: 'Grandma Hodges is here for the weekend so Christmas came early tonight at Chez Bland. Suffice to say Fred won't get a bigger fire engine!'
The more upbeat post came as he shared a snap of Freddie in front of their tree, admitting their annual tradition of picking out the festive fir had been tough.
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He wrote: 'Missed Rach more than ever today. We went to the same farm where every year the three of us - and before that, the two of us - used to go.
'Didn't feel the same. There were no arguments about what size to get or whether the one I liked was too bushy at the bottom and too sparse at the top.
He added: 'This little guy helped and between us we figured out how to decorate it too! So, the Bland family Christmas is well and truly on, just as Rach would have wanted.'
Despite what undoubtedly be a tough first Christmas for Steve and little Freddie, they will be looking forward to the New Year when Rachael's memoirs are to be released as a book
Rachael, Steve and Freddie seen inset bottom celebrating Christmas 2017. This will be Steve and Freddie's first Christmas without her
The widower has been proofreading Rachael's memoirs, dedicated to their son Freddie, which will be published in February 2019
Despite what undoubtedly be a tough first Christmas, Steve will be looking forward to the New Year when Rachael's memoirs are to be released as a book.
Throughout her journey Rachael had been keeping a memoir including letters for her young son to open on milestone days such as his eighteenth birthday.
Last month Steve took to Rachael's Instagram to share a picture of Rachael raising a glass of champagne, revealing her memoir would be published in February 2019.
He wrote: 'Hi folks, studybay it's Steve. Just wanted to share some wonderful news with you all.
'We're raising a glass to our beautiful girl today because we have found a fantastic publisher for her book.'
Steve admitted that on the day he picked out a Christmas tree without his late wife for the first time, he missed her more than ever
Expressing his joy and sadness, he added: 'She worked so so hard on it before she died and while we're beyond heartbroken that she'll never get to see it in print, we're sure the brilliant team at Omara Books will do her proud.
The book will be published by independent publishing house Michael O'Mara Books. Steve concluded: 'Keep an eye out for it in Feb 2019! Steve'.
And the post quickly gathered over 12,000 likes and hundreds of comments.
'That's fantastic! I can't wait to read it', one follower wrote congratulating him.
Another added: 'Will buy it in Feb. Often think of Rachael. Miss hearing her on the radio. Thoughts with you , Freddie and of course Bodie!'
Sharing a snap as little Freddie unwrapped his first Christmas present, Steve wrote: 'Grandma Hodges is here for the weekend so Christmas came early tonight at Chez Bland. Suffice to say Fred won't get a bigger fire engine!'
Steve Bland took to Instagram last month to announce he had found a publisher for his late wife and BBC radio presenter Rachael Bland's memoir, and it would be turned into a book in February
Steve Bland took to Instagram to make the announcement, admitting that while he was overjoyed at the news, his joy was tinged with sadness that Rachael would never see the published version.
Throughout her journey Rachael had been keeping a memoir including letters for her young son to open on milestone days such as his eighteenth birthday (Rachael seen with Steve and Freddie, 3)
Shortly before her death Bland poignantly revealed she had wrapped 18 years worth of birthday presents for three-year-old son Freddie so he had a gift from her until he was 21.
The BBC 5 Live newsreader had also built up a collection of handwritten notebooks, perfume and other personal items so the little boy would grow up knowing how his mother wrote, smelled and sounded once she was gone.
Just six weeks after she passed away, Rachael's podcast won the Best New Show award at the Audio, Radio and Industry Awards (ARIAs).
Steve collected the award on her behalf and said it would have 'meant the world to her' in an emotional speech.
Joining Steve on stage were Rachael's show co-hosts Lauren Mahon and Deborah James, as well as the show's producer Mike Holt, who touchingly dedicated the award to Rachael's husband and their three-year-old son Freddie.
Rachael had won praise for You, Me and the Big C and its honest portrayal of the realities of living with cancer.
Radio presenter Rachael Bland's podcast 'You, Me and The Big C' has won an award just over a month after she lost her battle with cancer. Her husband Steve (seen centre with the show's co-stars Lauren Mahon and Deborah James, as well as the show's producer Mike Holt) collected the award on her behalf and admitted it would 'mean the world to her'
Taking to the stage to accept the award, Steve said: ‘This award would mean the world to her.
‘But more than that, she'd be filled with utter pride by the impact You, Me and The Big C has had on others. ‘That's exactly what she wanted to achieve.'
Taking to his Instagram stories later in the evening he shared a picture of them on stage, writing: 'What a night! So, so, so proud of Rachael and these beautiful people'.
Meanwhile Mike Holt shared the picture to his Twitter praising his colleagues before writing: 'This is dedicated to Steve and little Freddie.
Taking to his Instagram stories later in the evening he shared a picture of them on stage, writing: 'What a night! So, so, so proud of Rachael and these beautiful people' (Rachael and Steve seen together previously)
Alongside friends Deborah James and Lauren Mahon, Bland (seen)documented her cancer from first discovery, to being told it was incurable in May of this year, to finally being warned there were just days left
Reposting the snap to her Instagram, Lauren added: 'Today Our Podcast Won An Industry Award.
'Very Few Words For Once Other Than PROUD. Proud To Be Part Of This Game Changing Pod.
'Proud To Have Friends Like this. Proud To Be Changing The Cancer Conversation. This Isn't Just For Rach, Freddie and Steve.
'This Is For Everyone Who Has, Has Had Or Been Affected By. Now It's Time To Celebrate... Tequila!'
The show following the trio's journey won the Best New Show award at Thursday night's Audio, Radio and Industry Awards (ARIAs)
Rachael Bland's poignant final recording was released shortly after her death at the beginning of September, with the podcaster discussing how her future was taken away (seen with Deborah James and Lauren Mahon)
Steve Bland from Cheshire shared an Instagram snap of the three-year-old unwrapping an early present of a fire engine, gifted to him by Rachael's mother 'Grandma Hodges',
The post came came after Steve shared his sadness at picking their Christmas tree without Rachael for the first time, saying he'd 'missed her more than ever'.
He's also been proofreading the manuscript for Rachael's memoirs, which will be published in February.
Rachael, presenter of award-winning podcast You, Me and The Big C, which documented her battle with breast cancer, tragically died in September, aged just 40.
The husband of late BBC radio presenter Rachael Bland, Steve, took to Instagram this week to share a glimpse at his first Christmas without her, celebrating with their young son Freddie, 3- seen unwrapping an early present from 'Grandma Hodges'- Rachael's mother
The post came just a week after Steve shared his sadness at picking their Christmas tree without Rachael for the first time, as he faced the first festive season without her
Sharing a snap as little Freddie unwrapped his first Christmas present, Steve wrote: 'Grandma Hodges is here for the weekend so Christmas came early tonight at Chez Bland. Suffice to say Fred won't get a bigger fire engine!'
The more upbeat post came as he shared a snap of Freddie in front of their tree, admitting their annual tradition of picking out the festive fir had been tough.
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Previous
1
Next
Back to the future! Couple's Edwardian home with decor stuck... World¿s first transgender Miss Universe contestant Angela... More cologne for your cash! Aldi launches six new £6.99 it... 'My gift for my boss is my two weeks' notice': Office...
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He wrote: 'Missed Rach more than ever today. We went to the same farm where every year the three of us - and before that, the two of us - used to go.
'Didn't feel the same. There were no arguments about what size to get or whether the one I liked was too bushy at the bottom and too sparse at the top.
He added: 'This little guy helped and between us we figured out how to decorate it too! So, the Bland family Christmas is well and truly on, just as Rach would have wanted.'
Despite what undoubtedly be a tough first Christmas for Steve and little Freddie, they will be looking forward to the New Year when Rachael's memoirs are to be released as a book
Rachael, Steve and Freddie seen inset bottom celebrating Christmas 2017. This will be Steve and Freddie's first Christmas without her
The widower has been proofreading Rachael's memoirs, dedicated to their son Freddie, which will be published in February 2019
Despite what undoubtedly be a tough first Christmas, Steve will be looking forward to the New Year when Rachael's memoirs are to be released as a book.
Throughout her journey Rachael had been keeping a memoir including letters for her young son to open on milestone days such as his eighteenth birthday.
Last month Steve took to Rachael's Instagram to share a picture of Rachael raising a glass of champagne, revealing her memoir would be published in February 2019.
He wrote: 'Hi folks, studybay it's Steve. Just wanted to share some wonderful news with you all.
'We're raising a glass to our beautiful girl today because we have found a fantastic publisher for her book.'
Steve admitted that on the day he picked out a Christmas tree without his late wife for the first time, he missed her more than ever
Expressing his joy and sadness, he added: 'She worked so so hard on it before she died and while we're beyond heartbroken that she'll never get to see it in print, we're sure the brilliant team at Omara Books will do her proud.
The book will be published by independent publishing house Michael O'Mara Books. Steve concluded: 'Keep an eye out for it in Feb 2019! Steve'.
And the post quickly gathered over 12,000 likes and hundreds of comments.
'That's fantastic! I can't wait to read it', one follower wrote congratulating him.
Another added: 'Will buy it in Feb. Often think of Rachael. Miss hearing her on the radio. Thoughts with you , Freddie and of course Bodie!'
Sharing a snap as little Freddie unwrapped his first Christmas present, Steve wrote: 'Grandma Hodges is here for the weekend so Christmas came early tonight at Chez Bland. Suffice to say Fred won't get a bigger fire engine!'
Steve Bland took to Instagram last month to announce he had found a publisher for his late wife and BBC radio presenter Rachael Bland's memoir, and it would be turned into a book in February
Steve Bland took to Instagram to make the announcement, admitting that while he was overjoyed at the news, his joy was tinged with sadness that Rachael would never see the published version.
Throughout her journey Rachael had been keeping a memoir including letters for her young son to open on milestone days such as his eighteenth birthday (Rachael seen with Steve and Freddie, 3)
Shortly before her death Bland poignantly revealed she had wrapped 18 years worth of birthday presents for three-year-old son Freddie so he had a gift from her until he was 21.
The BBC 5 Live newsreader had also built up a collection of handwritten notebooks, perfume and other personal items so the little boy would grow up knowing how his mother wrote, smelled and sounded once she was gone.
Just six weeks after she passed away, Rachael's podcast won the Best New Show award at the Audio, Radio and Industry Awards (ARIAs).
Steve collected the award on her behalf and said it would have 'meant the world to her' in an emotional speech.
Joining Steve on stage were Rachael's show co-hosts Lauren Mahon and Deborah James, as well as the show's producer Mike Holt, who touchingly dedicated the award to Rachael's husband and their three-year-old son Freddie.
Rachael had won praise for You, Me and the Big C and its honest portrayal of the realities of living with cancer.
Radio presenter Rachael Bland's podcast 'You, Me and The Big C' has won an award just over a month after she lost her battle with cancer. Her husband Steve (seen centre with the show's co-stars Lauren Mahon and Deborah James, as well as the show's producer Mike Holt) collected the award on her behalf and admitted it would 'mean the world to her'
Taking to the stage to accept the award, Steve said: ‘This award would mean the world to her.
‘But more than that, she'd be filled with utter pride by the impact You, Me and The Big C has had on others. ‘That's exactly what she wanted to achieve.'
Taking to his Instagram stories later in the evening he shared a picture of them on stage, writing: 'What a night! So, so, so proud of Rachael and these beautiful people'.
Meanwhile Mike Holt shared the picture to his Twitter praising his colleagues before writing: 'This is dedicated to Steve and little Freddie.
Taking to his Instagram stories later in the evening he shared a picture of them on stage, writing: 'What a night! So, so, so proud of Rachael and these beautiful people' (Rachael and Steve seen together previously)
Alongside friends Deborah James and Lauren Mahon, Bland (seen)documented her cancer from first discovery, to being told it was incurable in May of this year, to finally being warned there were just days left
Reposting the snap to her Instagram, Lauren added: 'Today Our Podcast Won An Industry Award.
'Very Few Words For Once Other Than PROUD. Proud To Be Part Of This Game Changing Pod.
'Proud To Have Friends Like this. Proud To Be Changing The Cancer Conversation. This Isn't Just For Rach, Freddie and Steve.
'This Is For Everyone Who Has, Has Had Or Been Affected By. Now It's Time To Celebrate... Tequila!'
The show following the trio's journey won the Best New Show award at Thursday night's Audio, Radio and Industry Awards (ARIAs)
Rachael Bland's poignant final recording was released shortly after her death at the beginning of September, with the podcaster discussing how her future was taken away (seen with Deborah James and Lauren Mahon)
