The wife of TV personality Adam Thomas has paid an emotional tribute to her father-in-law Dougie James following his death at the age of 72.
It was reported on Saturday morning that the 70s music legend Dougie, lead singer with Dougie James And The Soul Train and the father of Thomas brothers Adam, Ryan and Scott, had died.
Taking to Instagram on Wednesday evening, Caroline remembered the former singer through a series of family photos, four days after his passing was announced by BBC Radio Manchester.
Moving: The wife of TV personality Adam Thomas has paid an emotional tribute to her father-in-law Dougie James following his death at the age of 72 (pictured: Dougie with his sons L-R, Ryan, Adam and Scott Thomas)
Captioning the images, the mother-of-two posthumously thanked Dougie for his kindness, and for bringing husband Adam, 32, into the world.
She wrote: ‘Through teary eyes we’ve laughed over memories of you that we will treasure always. I’ll forever miss the back gate going and putting the kettle on to hear what stories you had for us.
‘Thankyou for your son, who I would be lost without and for always making me feel welcome. I’m so honoured I got your acceptance and have the Thomas name.
Thank you: Caroline Thomas posthumously thanked Dougie for his kindness, and for bringing husband Adam into the world
Old times: Caroline and Dougie are pictured together on a night out in one of five pictures posted on Instagram by the mother-of-two
‘As Teddy put it: we will see you at night, now you’re in the stars. Shine bright Dougie, your boys will continue to do you proud.’
Adam’s twin brother Scott – a former Love Island contestant – also paid a moving tribute to his father following his death over the weekend.
Posting a lengthy caption, the 32-year old described Dougie as a ‘legend’ while sharing his immense pride at being his son.
Scott said: ‘The word legend can sometimes be thrown around but when it comes to my Dad there was no question. He was the epitome of a star and you felt it every moment you were in his company.
Getting stuck in: Dougie is pictured gardening with son Adam and grandson Teddy in another snap
Special memories: Caroline admitted she will miss her father-in law’s regular visits to the family home
‘My Dad’s life was one that he lived to the fullest and his stories would keep us entertained for hours. From touring with the Jackson 5 to warming up for James Brown my dad had done it all with the Soul Train.
‘People might think my Dad is well known because of us but he was a Manchester legend well before our time. I used to be so proud when strangers from all over would come up to me and say are you “Dougie James’ son?”
‘He knew everyone and touched so many lives. My dad just knew how to make people smile and he was genuinely the funniest man I’ve ever known.’
We’ll miss you always: ‘I’m so honoured I got your acceptance and have the Thomas name,’ Caroline wrote
Scott went on to reveal that his father had spent the final months of his life living with him during the national lockdown.
He added: ‘I can’t believe how truly lucky I was to have him living with me these last 6 months. We’ve made up for so much lost time and shared so many little special memories.
‘I would just watch him from across the room watching his old black and white movies and just be in awe of him. From dancing around the kitchen to deep chats I just can’t tell you how lucky I feel to have had that time.’
Scott also shared a few details about how his father was feeling and said Dougie always managed to stay positive and tell jokes.
‘So proud’: Scott Thomas also made an emotional tribute to his late father Dougie James after his death at the age of 72, calling the Manchester legend ‘the epitome of a star’
Honour: Adam’s twin brother Scott – a former Love Island contestant – also paid a moving tribute to his father following his death over the weekend
Top form: Scott also shared a few details about how his father was feeling and said Dougie always managed to stay positive and tell jokes
Family: Scott said that Dougie’s legacy would live on through ‘many, many years of Thomas’s’ in the heartfelt caption to a series of personal images shared in tribute (the singer is pictured with his three sons – Ryan, Adam and Scott – as well as four grandchildren)
He wrote: ‘My dad told me he had the best life and wouldn’t change a single thing. This might sound sad but he said he was happy for his time to be up and just didn’t enjoy being old.
‘So as heartbreaking as it is that he’s gone I know it’s what he wanted deep down. He was just very tired. Saying that, even that morning when I last saw him he was on top form as always cracking jokes with that amazing sick sense of humour of his. He always chose laughter for tears.
He finished the statement, saying: ‘My Dad will live on through me, Adam and Ryan. The legacy he has created will shine on through us and the Thomas’s for many, many years to come.
Time together: The former Love Islander also said he was ‘so lucky’ to have had his dad ‘living with me these last 6 months. We’ve made up for so much lost time and shared so many little special memories’
‘He made me so proud to be a Thomas and even though he never really told us I know deep down he was so very proud of us.
‘One thing he never struggled to tell me was that he loved me. Every night before bed he would tell me that and every time I left the house.
‘I am my Father’s son and I will remember nothing but the best of memories. He really was a King. Rest in Paradise dad, Iove you forever.’
Sad news: It was revealed on Saturday that the soul singer had passed away, with BBC Radio Manchester reporting it (pictured during his time in his band Dougie James and The Soul Train)
At the height of their fame, Dougie’s band toured with The Jackson Five and his sons have inherited his love of the spotlight.
‘It’s always been in our blood – we’ve always wanted to entertain,’ Adam said earlier this year.
In 2019 Adam, Scott and former Coronation Street star Ryan headed to India with their father for an ITV documentary, Mancs In Mumbai, where they explored their heritage for a six-part series.
Dougie split from the boys’ mum when the twins were born – leading to a bitter divorce, and the family explored their feelings about his absence during the programme.