smiling

THE tragic last post of Hayden Panettiere paid tribute to “good times and good friends” just weeks before she passed away aged 36.

The Heroes and Nashville actress died on Sunday, her father said this morning.

Hayden’s final Instagram post was made on July 27, only 21 days ago, as she smiled alongside photographer pal Randall Slavin.

The carefree and happy snap shows the pair smiling at each other as Panettiere winks playfully at the camera.

In a caption accompanying the snap, which appears to be from a busy event, the Scream star wrote: “Good times and good friends.”

The post has 40,000 likes from Hayden’s one million followers.

Responding to his friend’s death, Slavin, 56, shared the photo on his own Instagram page.

He wrote alongside the black-and-white snap: “Peace be with you, H”.

Other fans flocked to her social media pages to leave their own tributes.
One said: “Rip to the most beautiful soul ever.”

Another wrote: “This just brought me intense sadness.

“I’ve followed your work since I was a little girl, and have been following you for years because you seem like such a wonderful person who deserves so much better in life.”

Sources told TMZ that the mother-of-one had complained of back pain in the months before her death on Sunday.

Hayden’s father, Skip, confirmed the tragic news.

In a statement, he said: “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden.

“She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her – and to the millions who watched her onscreen.”

He asked for privacy “as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss”.

The star’s family did not give a cause or location of death, however TMZ reported both Panettiere and boyfriend Brian Hickerson had flown out of Los Angeles on Saturday.

The website also reported that police responded to an “incident” and that an investigation is ongoing.

IF YOU’RE looking for your next holiday spot, one sunny destination should be at the top of your list.

From November 2, TUI is launching holidays between a major UK city and one of the best-value winter sun spots.

Weekly flights between Birmingham and Banjul, The Gambia, will fly on Mondays – with the journey only taking six hours.

Between November and April, temperatures usually hit 30C in The Gambia and to make the most of it, you can explore the country’s golden beaches and warm seas.

Dubbed the ‘Smiling Coast of Africa’, visitors can head off on a boat cruise to spot wildlife and mangroves, along The Gambia River, which runs through the country.

And if you want to see more wildlife, then you can visit the Kachikally Crocodile Pool in Bakau or explore Abuko Nature Reserve which spans around 260 acres just south of Banjul and is home to more crocodiles as well as monkeys.

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For history lovers, there’s Kunta Kinteh Island – a UNESCO World Heritage site that used to be a former slave-trading post.

TUI’s Linda Sharrocks, recently visited The Gambia and said: “I chose The Gambia for winter sun without having to fly as far as the Caribbean or Thailand, and it completely delivered.

“You’ve got guaranteed sunshine, beautiful sandy beaches and some of the friendliest, happiest people I’ve ever met.”

She added: “Kololi Beach was a highlight for me – it’s quieter but still close to everything.”

Other popular beaches include Kotu Beach, which is known for being a family-friendly spot with gentle waves and Sanyang Beach – which is also known as Paradise Beach – with a number of beach bars and local fishing boast bobbing in the water.

Linda also revealed that The Gambia is cheap when there, with a meal and drink costing just a few quid.

“There are loads of amazing restaurants and bars to try like Scala and Ginger for food, and Mkais for a drink and live music,” she shared.

“I loved visiting the local markets and just soaking up the laid-back atmosphere.

“My biggest tip is to get out and explore the local restaurants and bars, that’s where you really get a feel for the place.”

Holiday packages with TUI to The Gambia start from £800 per person and include flights, accommodation, transfers, luggage and all-inclusive food and drink.

Chris Logan, Commercial Director at TUI UK, said: “We know Brits are looking for winter sun that delivers great value without the long flight times, and destinations like The Gambia are seeing real growth as a result.”

Matt Hazelwood, Chief Commercial Officer at Birmingham Airport said: “We are delighted to welcome The Gambia back to our list of direct destinations with TUI.

“This popular winter sun getaway is easily accessible from Birmingham Airport, offering beautiful sandy beaches, stunning scenery, and nature reserves rich in Gambian wildlife, all just a six-hour flight from BHX.”

Don’t worry if you aren’t close to Birmingham though, as TUI also has flights to The Gambia from London Gatwick and Manchester airports.