Lorraine Kelly pauses show to announce tragic death of ITV colleague
Lorraine Kelly was forced to announce the sad death of an ITV colleague on Monday morning
by Jess Phillips · ChronicleLiveLorraine Kelly had to temporarily interrupt her ITV programme on Monday to convey the heart-rending news of the death of a beloved co-star.
The well-known Scottish presenter broke the news to her audience following a commercial break, informing them that a member of her "Change + Check Choir" had succumbed to secondary breast cancer.
The choir was set up on the show as part of the fifth-anniversary celebration of Lorraine's campaign to encourage breast checking, which saw the collaboration with artist Joss Stone in releasing their debut track "Golden" in 2023.
Heather Sawyer, a chorister, had been diagnosed with terminal Stage 4 cancer. Her passing on October 5 was shared by her husband on social media platforms.
Lorraine informed the viewers: "I'm very sorry to have to share some sad news this morning. One of our amazing singers, Heather Sawyer, has died from secondary breast cancer. Heather was only 50 years old, an astonishing woman.", reports the Mirror.
In addition, she remarked: "She was such a huge part of the choir, so passionate about everything. Amazing."
Dr Hilary Jones, who was present with Lorraine, echoed the sentiments: "Wonderful lady. She sang at the Palladium with the choir, to celebrate the Change + Check campaign."
Lee Sawyer, Heather's spouse, posted: "Shortly before 1am this morning 5th October Heather lost her fight to cancer and took her last breaths and passed away peacefully. We know just how many people have followed Heather's journey and how many lives she has touched from the sheer volume of messages, voice notes, the flood of the #hevupsocials hashtag.."
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The family expressed their heartfelt gratitude with a message: "We as a family want to firstly thank each and every one of you beautiful people who have visited, sent well wishes and thought of Heather during this time. It has not gone unnoticed and we will be forever grateful to each and every one of you as you all made her know just how loved she was in her final days."
Tragically, Heather's cancer had metastasised to the left side of her brain towards the end, leading to her being cared for in a hospice in her final moments. Aged 50, Heather was a beloved grandmother to eleven grandchildren and had bravely endured a mastectomy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy in her valiant battle against the illness.