This Morning agony aunt Denise Robertson dies, aged 83
The resident agony aunt for the ITV show has died aged 83 after a short battle with cancer.
This Morning’s much-loved agony aunt Denise Robertson has died following a short battle against pancreatic cancer.
The show shared the news on Twitter, posting the message: “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’s episode of the show paid tribute to Robertson, who has given regular advice to viewers for nearly 30 years.
Hosted by Eamon Holmes and Ruth Langsford, today’s show has included tributes from previous hosts Richard Madeley, Judy Finnigan and Fern Britton, as well as current hosts Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield.
Schofield remembered his colleague as an “icon” in a poignant Twitter post, saying that he was “heartbroken” by her passing, adding that she was “kind, thoughtful, caring and wonderful”.
During her time on the show, Robertson gave advice on a range of subjects, including domestic violence, IVF, adoption and coming out as gay.
In a particularly moving segment, the agony aunt spoke to a 60-year-old lesbian woman who had kept her sexuality a secret for her whole life.
Robertson told the woman that she deserved to be true to herself after keeping the secret for so long, and should be accepted by today’s society.
She also hosted regular slots with Paul O’Grady’s alter ego Lily Savage, giving light-hearted advice to less serious queries from viewers.
In a statement, her family thanked fans for their ongoing support.
“The world has lost an extraordinary woman,” it read.
“We know that her ITV Family, the This Morning viewers and the incalculable number of people she has helped and causes she has championed during her 83 years, will be grieving with us at this intensely painful time.”
Robertson only revealed her diagnosis only last month, as she praised the “wonderful doctors and nurses” who were treating her.
“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,” she said at the time.
