This Morning dental expert Dr Uchenna Okoye, 53, died suddenly after collapsing in her London home despite having ‘no apparent health problems’, friend reveals
- Dr Uchenna Okoye died suddenly at the age of 53 on Friday 15th September
This Morning dental expert Dr Uchenna Okoye died suddenly after collapsing in her London home ‘despite having no apparent health problems,’ a close friend has revealed.
Her personal assistant and confidante of more than 20 years Mars Webb said her loved ones are still coming to terms with her shock death and are waiting for a coroner’s report to confirm the exact reasons why she passed away at the age of just 53.
She revealed Dr Uchenna, who was also a regular guest on Channel 5’s 10 Years Younger in 10 Days and BBC Breakfast, enjoyed a normal ‘busy week’ in the days leading up to her death last Friday.
This included a theatre trip to see West End musical Moulin Rouge, a lunch meeting with clients to promote her new Mysmile dental product and an industry event, and she at no point raised any concerns surrounding her health.
Ms Webb told MailOnline: ‘There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. She was a happy, healthy and busy person, with no apparent health problems.
This Morning’s medical expert Dr Uchenna Okoye has tragically passed away after a ‘sudden illness’ aged 53
Dr Uchenna died suddenly after collapsing in her London home ‘despite having no apparent health problems,’ a close friend has revealed
‘Her passing has come as a total shock to everybody – it came totally out of the blue.
‘But sadly, this does sometimes happen to healthy people who can suddenly pass without explanation.
READ MORE: Holly Willoughby leads tributes to ‘very kind’ This Morning medical expert Dr Uchenna Okoye who has died aged 53 after a ‘sudden illness’
‘We are now waiting for the coroner’s reports into her death to find out exactly what happened.
‘It’s a devastating loss for her family, friends and so many who loved her dearly.’
Dr Uchenna leaves a seven-year old daughter she shares with ex-husband Chidi Ngwaba, a fellow doctor who was speaking at Hope For Africa event in Kenya upon hearing of her passing.
The former couple divorced last year but have been separated for some time.
Ms Webb confirmed Dr Uchenna’s ‘big loving family’ will ensure her daughter is taken care of and given the love she needs following her passing.
She added: ‘Urchenna was my boss, my mentor, my bestie buddy for 20 years and honestly, you have no idea how incredible she was and how much more she had to do and achieve and wanted to do.’It is just so unfair she has been taken from us.
‘As well as her TV work, Dr Uchenna was known for supporting women in business, building confidence, plus championing diversity and inclusion.
Dr Uchenna’s family posted a heartbreaking statement on her Instagram earlier this evening
She shared her passion and knowledge to help other women better themselves, and was recognised for changing the face of dentistry, taking on the oral health care market by launching her own Mysmile product range.
News of Dr Uchenna’s death last Friday, which was announced on her official Instagram page on Monday, sparked an outpouring of support from friends and former colleagues.
Holly Willoughby, who worked with Dr Uchenna on This Morning, told her followers: ‘Unbelievably sad to hear of the passing of @druchennaokoye. We first worked together many moons ago with @oralb_uk and she was very kind to me… and then of course again, giving her advice on @thismorning. Sending all my love to her family.’
BBC radio presenter Jo Whiley wrote: ‘Devastating news. Sending love to her daughter, family and London Smiling team. Strong, beautiful, funny Uchenna. Awful. Just awful.’
The British beauty council tweeted: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Uchenna Okoye, a treasured colleague and Advisory Board member. She was a brilliant and passionate individual who profoundly impacted the industry.’
Dr Uchenna, who qualified at the prestigious Guy’s Hospital in London, ran two dental practices and owned a line of specialist dental products.
The Cosmetic Dentist made numerous appearances on television and radio, offering specialist advice to viewers. She is pictured here on Daybreak
She was one of a small group of dentists to belong to both the British and American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Outside of directing the London Smiling Dental Group, she regularly appeared on television and radio to provide expert advice.
She also was the official dentist of Channel 5’s makeover programme 10 Years Younger.
Presenter Cherry Healey of the Channel 5 show also paid tribute to Dr Uchenna.
‘There aren’t really the right words to say how much this absolute force of a human being will be missed and how sad this news is.
‘I was so fortunate to work with Dr Uchenna on @10yearsyounger for many happy years, and to then got to know her as a beautiful friend.
‘She spoke with such passion and love for the people she helped smile again – and she was the warmest, smartest, most fun woman you could wish to meet.’
News of Dr Uchenna’s death last Friday, which was announced on her official Instagram page on Monday, sparked an outpouring of support from friends and former colleagues
Announcing Dr Uchenna’s tragic passing, her family wrote: ‘It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of the much loved and respected Cosmetic Dentist, Dr Uchenna Okoye, who passed away after falling ill at home on Friday 15th September 2023.
‘At this time, we ask for your prayers for her young daughter, her family, her team of staff at London Smiling Dental Group and her friends who are all struggling to come to terms with her loss.
‘We request that you respect Uchenna’s family’s wishes for privacy at this very difficult time.
‘The Uchenna sparkle touched the lives of everyone she met and drew her into stardom on 10 Years Younger makeover show, followed by 10 Years Younger in 10 Days where her passion and compassion leaps off the screen.
‘For the last 20 years, her deep knowledge of dentistry and her incredible chair-side manner made her the go-to spokeswoman for any dental issue and a popular contributor to radio, TV, and women’s consumer press.’
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