Small private funeral held for Danika McGuigan after cancer death

The funeral of Danika McGuigan has taken place in the UK.

The actress and daughter of boxer Barry McGuigan passed away last Tuesday from cancer. She was 33. Danika had previously beaten the illness, having fought lymphoid leukaemia for two years as a child. Her friends and family gathered for what a source described as a small, private funeral on Sunday. "Everybody is devastated," they told The Sun. Father Brian D'Arcy officiated the service. Danika's family announced her death in a statement issued to RTÉ last week.

"It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our beautiful daughter and sister, Danika 'Nika' McGuigan," it read. "After a brief but brave battle against cancer, Nika passed away peacefully in the early hours of Tuesday, 23 July, surrounded by her loving family. "As a family we are devastated and ask for complete privacy during this difficult period to allow us to grieve for our Nika".

Danika was best known for playing Danielle in RTÉ's Can't Cope, Won't Cope. Its writer Stephanie Preissner led tributes to her as news of her death broke. "Can’t Cope Won’t Cope wouldn’t have been the same without her," Stephanie wrote in a tweet. Danika is survived by her mum Sandra, dad Barry and three brothers Jake, Blain and Shane.