Lorraine Kelly was compelled to interrupt her ITV show on Monday morning with the heartbreaking announcement of a co-star’s death.
The Scottish presenter delivered the sombre news post-advertisement break, telling viewers that a member of her Change + Check Choir had succumbed to secondary breast cancer.
The choir was created on the ITV show to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Lorraine’s campaign for breast checking, and they launched their debut song Golden in 2023, featuring artist Joss Stone.
Choir member Heather Sawyer, who was tragically diagnosed with terminal Stage 4 cancer, passed away on October 5th, a fact made public by her husband via social media.
Lorraine shared with her audience: “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.
She continued: “She was such a huge part of the choir, so passionate about everything. Amazing.”
Dr Hilary, who was present on the show, commented: “Wonderful lady. She sang at the Palladium with the choir, to celebrate the Change + Check campaign.”
Heather’s spouse Lee stated: “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…
“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, the cancer had infiltrated the left side of Heather’s brain in her closing days, resulting in her care being transferred to a hospice where she could spend her final moments in comfort. At 50 years young, Heather was a cherished grandma to 11, and put up a valiant fight against her illness through a mastectomy, radiation treatments, and chemotherapy.