Celebrity Big Brother star pays tribute to girl, 3, and dad killed in terrifying accident

Celebrity Big Brother winner Paddy Doherty - best known for his role on My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding - has paid tribute to a father and daughter who died in a crash

20:10, 03 Apr 2026Updated 20:10, 03 Apr 2026

Paddy paid tribute to those who had died(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

Celebrity Big Brother winner Paddy Doherty has paid tribute to his relatives after Ka Connors, three, and her dad Francie died in an accident on the road. In a social media post, Paddy revealed the mum Rita was fighting for her life.

Francie, Rita and Ka were riding in a horse and cart on the A228, near Tonbridge in Kent[1], when they collided with a white DAF tipper truck. The accident happened around 6.30pm and Francie and the horse were sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

Ka was rushed to hospital, where she sadly died, and mum Rita is still receiving treatment.

Telling his followers what had happened, he said: "The girl was three years of age, a little princess ... I pray to God that he will leave the mother behind.

"My heart's broke over that young boy and his daughter ... Imagine going for a ride in a horse cart, there's not more beautiful in the world[2].

We call it a drive, a nice little country drive, his wife, his child and him, within a split blink gone, their lives are gone."

Rita is in hospital but sadly her daughter Ka died(Image: Facebook/Paddy Doherty Site)

In a statement, Kent Police[3] said: "An investigation into the circumstances is underway and witnesses or anyone who saw the truck or pony and trap prior to the collision, is urged to contact the appeal line."

The driver of the tipper, a 29-year-old man from Kent, was arrested in connection with the incident and was taken into custody. The devastating collision occurred in East Peckham near Tonbridge[4] on Wednesday, 1 April, on the A228 Boyle Way, between the junctions of Branbridges Road and Hale Street.

Back in March, the Celebrity Big Brother[5] winner asked his fans for their prayers for his wife Roseanne as he revealed she was in hospital battling an illness.

Francie died at the scene(Image: Facebook/Paddy Doherty Site)

Giving fans an update, he said: "But thank god, because she couldn't be in a better place than a hospital. She's getting attention, she's getting looked after. "Paddy also said that the hospital treating Roseanne was "the greatest place in the world."

He told fans: "Be lucky, be safe and god bless you all." In the caption, he asked for prayers for his wife.

Fans were quick to oblige, with one writing: "I have it Paddy very hard to shake but god bless your beautiful wife." Another added: "Prayers for your Wife Paddy.

Get well soon Roseanne." A third wrote: "Get well soon Roseanne x."

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References

1. ^ Kent (www.thesun.co.uk)
2. ^ world (www.mirror.co.uk)
3. ^ Kent Police (www.mirror.co.uk)
4. ^ near Tonbridge (www.mirror.co.uk)
5. ^ Big Brother (www.mirror.co.uk)
6. ^ TikTok (www.tiktok.com)
7. ^ Snapchat (story.snapchat.com)
8. ^ Instagram (www.instagram.com)
9. ^ Twitter (twitter.com)
10. ^ Facebook (www.facebook.com)
11. ^ YouTube (www.youtube.com)
12. ^ Threads (www.threads.net)