'It was my mum who said to me that I've just got to keep going'
Louis Tomlinson has opened up about his mother’s death for the first time.
Johannah Deakin lost her battle with leukaemia in December, just days before Louis was due to release his debut solo single Just Hold On.
See: Louis Tomlinson’s Stepfather Shares An Emotional Message From His Late Wife

Louis Tomlinson’s mum Johannah Deakin passed away in December
Now the 25-year-old has admitted how hard Johannah’s diagnosis hit him, telling SiriusXM Radio: ‘It’s not something that I feel 100% comfortable talking too much about but just quickly, when I first found out the news I kind of did want to throw the towel in.
‘But it was my mum who said to me that I’ve just got to keep going, telling me very sternly that she wanted me to [keep going].’
Louis was praised for performing Just Hold On on The X Factor days after Johannah’s passing, which he did in tribute to the 43-year-old.
He’s now said: ‘It was tough, but I felt like it was nice for me to almost have a little send off for her.’
See: Louisa Johnson Calls Louis Tomlinson ‘So Brave’ For His X Factor Performance
And it wasn’t just Louis who Johannah had wise words for. She also wrote a moving message for One Direction fans before her death, which her husband Dan Deakin shared last month.
Hi, it's Dan. Johannah asked for me to send this afterwards. She wanted to thank you all, and to let you know that you have been amazing
— Johannah Deakin (@JohannahDarling) December 13, 2016
right from the start. You changed Louis' life, but also her life. Your support now is as strong if not stronger than ever.
— Johannah Deakin (@JohannahDarling) December 13, 2016
So from Johannah one last time, thank you for everything xxx ❤️
— Johannah Deakin (@JohannahDarling) December 13, 2016
He posted her words on Twitter, telling Directioners: ‘Hi, it’s Dan. Johannah asked for me to send this afterwards. She wanted to thank you all, and to let you know that you have been amazing right from the start.
‘You changed Louis’ life, but also her life. Your support now is as strong if not stronger than ever. So from Johannah one last time, thank you for everything xxx ❤️.’
It sounds like she was a pretty amazing lady, doesn’t it?