BB FANS

A young Shropshire woman who captured the hearts of millions of television viewers and helped win transplant rights for people with disabilities has died.

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Joanne Harris, 25, of Shrewsbury, became a national celebrity when family friend Craig Phillips donated the prize money from winning the first Big Brother to her to fund a heart and lung transplant.

It had been feared she would have to travel to the US for treatment.

Jo, who refused to let her Down’s Syndrome get in the way of enjoying an ordinary life, fell ill with an infection last month and lost her fight for life in hospital in Birmingham last week.

ShropshireStar

Very very sorry to hear this.

Sad to hear this.
RIP Joanne.
Salute to Craig who donated his Big Brother cheque - though he couldn't care less about himself - to help Joanne.
Top Class.

Big Brother Craig's ill friend dies


Big Brother star Craig Phillips' friend Joanne Harris has died

The childhood friend the first Big Brother winner donated his prize cash to has died.

Joanne Harris, 25, hit the headlines after she greeted Liverpudlian winner Craig Phillips as he left the house at the end of the first series in 2000.

Craig, a self-employed builder before entering the house, famously announced he was to donate his £70,000 prize money to Ms Harris, from Shrewsbury, who had Down's Syndrome.

The cash was intended to partly fund a heart and lung transplant for Ms Harris, who died in hospital in Birmingham last week after contracting an infection last month.

Speaking to the Shropshire Star, her mother, Marion Harris, said: "She brought so much joy to so many people and did so much to show that people with disabilities can lead very full lives."

Craig had known Ms Harris, his best friend's niece, since she was a baby.

In 2000 he released the Christmas single At This Time of Year, featuring Ms Harris in the video and raising £40,000 for the Down's Syndrome Association.

Metro

Sad news about Joanne...

Yes, that's very sad news.

I have received an email from the P.A to Craig Phillips, which was issued yesterday on Craig's behalf following the passing of Joanne Harris, which says:-

Church packed for Jo’s funeral

More than 400 mourners today packed a town centre church for the funeral of a young Shropshire woman who captured the hearts of millions of television viewers and helped win transplant rights for people with disabilities.

Family and friends of 25-year-old Joanne Harris, including the winner of the first Big Brother series Craig Phillips, gathered at St Chad’s Church for the service.

Joanne, known as Jo-Jo, became a celebrity when family friend Mr Phillips donated the £70,000 prize from the TV show to her so she could have a heart and lung transplant.

At the funeral, Jo’s brother Craig Harris described her as a brave, bubbly and loving person who was determined to lead a normal life despite her condition.

ShropshireStar

A fitting send off.

Makes you think about how unimportant the silly worries are in life.

God, that's so sad and unfair.