The parents of a courageous teenage girl who died at just 17 have paid a touching tribute to their daughter.

Gina and Andrew Gadd described Isabelle as a wonderful daughter and a fun-loving sister and said life without her was 'quieter and less sparkly.'

The family said they had received an outpouring of support with messages sent from around the world after Isabelle's social media posts about her cancer journey reached millions. 

Isabelle, a former pupil at Witton Middle School, Droitwich, was diagnosed with cancer, first discovered in her sinus area, when she was just 16.

After battling with the rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer, for months on end, she had a brief period of remission last summer.

But the cancer returned in her brain and spine and Isabelle died on January 8 this year.

In a moving tribute to their daughter, Mr and Mrs Gadd said: "She was incredibly brave, and she kept her humour throughout, she remained kind and was more concerned about how the cancer would impact on her family and friends.

"We've had a letter from the consultant who said she can remember her smile and her desire to look after people.

"She was a wonderful daughter and a loving fun sister, and our lives are quieter and less sparkly without her in it, she was the glitter. She was much loved and will be missed immensely.

"Izzy loved to dance and cook and spend time with her friends and family.

"When she found out she had cancer she decided to tackle it with her usual zest for life and humour.

"She bravely posted her journey on TikTok and Instagram and, despite her pain and feeling self-conscious, her posts showed the true picture of what she went through."

Isabelle's posts reached millions online, and Mrs Gadd said the family have received hundreds of messages from as far as Australia offering condolences.

She said the most touching messages are from other teenagers who have said Isabelle's determination and humour have inspired them.

One such message read: "Izzy helped me so much through all her videos and she taught me to always be positive - I'm currently nine-months in remission and I couldn't have made it without her."

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Isabelle also received thousands of comments paying tribute to her life on TikTok.

One said: "I'm so sorry. I can say with confidence that she changed so many people's lives including my own. Life's so unfair."

Another said: "It's so hard knowing she went through such a horrible time and yet showed so much positivity on TikTok."

Isabelle also attended Aston Fields Middle School and South Bromsgrove High School.

Her family have thanked those who helped Isabelle throughout her treatment.

Mr and Mrs Gadd added: "We would like to say thank you to all the staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, especially on the Young Persons Unit and Isabelle's specialist nurse, Jenny.

"We also want to thank The Teenage Cancer Trust and The Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust."

The family have invited anyone who knew Isabelle to her funeral service at St. John's Church, Bromsgrove on Wednesday February 2 at 11am.

The service will then be followed by a private cremation for family and close friends only.

Rather than flowers, Isabelle's family have asked for donations to the Teenage Cancer Trust via: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/izzygadd.