Charlotte Hawkins gives daughter Christmas gifts from her late dad
Charlotte Hawkins honours her late dad each year by giving her daughter, Ella Rose, Christmas presents he "would have bought her".
Charlotte Hawkins' daughter receives Christmas presents from her late grandad.
Frank Hawkins died of motor neurone disease aged 78 on January 10, 2015 - almost a month before Ella Rose was born on February 8 that year.
And Charlotte, 50, ensures Ella Rose, 10, experiences her grandad's influence by keeping his memory alive by giving gifts that the Good Morning Britain star knows Frank would have bought for the youngster.
Charlotte told the new issue of Yours magazine: "Grandad Frank buys her a present every year. When she got a little bit older, she asked how. I told her he has a little word with me and tells me what he would have bought her if he was here."
Each gift Ella Rose gets on behalf of Frank has a story linked to her grandad.
Charlotte - who is yet to decide on what to buy this year - explained: "One year, he bought her Charlie Mackesy's The Mole, from his book. And she still sleeps with that every night.
"My dad used to go to war with the moles, but they always came back. He would have thought it was hilarious! She has a lovely bond with him, even though he's not here. His spirit lives on."
On Christmas Eve, Charlotte takes Ella Rose to the family service near their home in Surrey because the carols remind Charlotte of Frank, who was a vicar.
She said: "They take me back to when I was a child. My dad would be there giving the sermon, and then we'd all be singing the carols together. I love O Holy Night."
And at Christmas, Charlotte, her husband Mark Herbert, Ella Rose, and the rest of the Hawkins clan will make a toast to Frank.
The broadcaster - who is hosting Christmas dinner at home - said: "Christmas is a time when you feel someone's loss. For me, I feel there's one person missing around that table.
"We always have a toast to Dad and make sure he's remembered. Even though sometimes you'll have those sad moments when you really miss the fact that they're not there, you have to make new memories.
"I think it's about keeping their memory alive and trying to make things as fun as possible. It's a lovely time of year to do things.
"We always have musical crackers or something."
