Denise Robertson dead: This Morning agony aunt loses battle with cancer aged 83
THIS MORNING'S agony aunt Denise Robertson has died aged 83, it has been confirmed.
This Morning agony aunt Denise Robertson has died aged 83
The ITV show's official Twitter account broke the sad news this morning, writing: "Such sad news- our friend and colleague Denise Robertson has lost her short but determined battle against cancer. Full tribute at 10.30."
Denise was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February, and revealed the news in an official statement.
“I’m sorry I’ve not been around for a couple of weeks but a persistent health issue has turned into something quite a lot bigger. I’ve been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer," she said.
“It has come as a surprise to me and my family but we know many others have suffered and dealt with this condition and I don’t plan to give up without a fight.
Such sad news- our friend and colleague Denise Robertson has lost her short but determined battle against cancer. Full tribute at 10.30.
— This Morning (@itvthismorning) April 1, 2016
Sadly Denise was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February
“My doctor is referring me for chemotherapy and hopefully that will start soon. I’d like to thank all the lovely viewers of This Morning who have been concerned about my health and I hope I’ll be back on the sofa soon, Love Denise X.”
An official statement released by Denise's family read: "It is with the deepest possible sorrow that we announce the passing of a very great lady. Our dearest Denise Robertson lost her short battle with cancer today at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.
"We send our gratitude to the many thousands of people who have sent messages of love, support and prayers during these difficult weeks, these sustained and delighted her measurably."
It is with the deepest possible sorrow that we announce the passing of a very great lady. Our dearest Denise Robertson lost her short battle with cancer today at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London
They continued: "The care Denise received from Professor Cunningham, Dr Tait and all the staff at the hospital was above and beyond anything we could have hoped for.
"The world has lost an extraordinary woman. We know that her ITV family, the This Morning viewers and the incalculable numbers of people she has helped and causes she has championed during her 83 years, will be grieving with us at this intensely painful time."
Denise was regular face on This Morning ever since the programme first started back in 1988 and has offered plenty of advice to viewers since then.
The mother-of-one made her television debut three years earlier, presenting the Junior Advice Line segment of the BBC's Breakfast Time.
I'm heartbroken at the passing of our @itvthismorning icon Denise Robertson. Kind, thoughtful, caring & wonderful ������ pic.twitter.com/M6RV4NSgvh
— Phillip Schofield (@Schofe) April 1, 2016
Denise has been giving advice on This Morning ever since the show started back in 1988
Denise Robertson diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
In 2000, her popularity on This Morning secured Denise her very own TV series, Dear Denise, and two years later, she was signed up as a love and relationships pundit on Dave Gorman's Important Astrology Experiment.
Denise also ran her own advice website called DearDenise.com and had a monthly magazine column.
Upon hearing the news, her This Morning colleagues took to Twitter to pay tribute to her.
The saddest news of the beautiful Denise passing. RIP darling and I'm sorry we never got to make that beautiful coat you wanted X
— Gok Wan (@therealgokwan) April 1, 2016
Denise Robertson MBE calls into This Morning
Phillip Schofield tweeted a photo of them together and wrote alongside it: "I'm heartbroken at the passing of our @itvthismorning icon Denise Robertson. Kind, thoughtful, caring & wonderful."
Gok Wan posted: "The saddest news of the beautiful Denise passing. RIP darling and I'm sorry we never got to make that beautiful coat you wanted X"
Former Daybreak presenter Aled Jones replied to ITV's tweet and wrote: "such devastating news - she was one of the kindest and loveliest people I have ever met. A wonderful person X"
She was last seen in public at the National Television Awards in January where she celebrated This Morning's success.
Denise is survived by her childhood friend and husband Bryan Thubron, and her only son Mark Alexander Robertson.