Antiques Roadshow expert Theo Burrell has died aged 39, four years after she was diagnosed with brain cancer.
Burrell was diagnosed in June 2022 with a glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain tumour, which typically carries a life expectancy of 12-18 months.
The ceramics and glass expert, with Lyon & Turnbull auctioneers in Edinburgh, joined the BBC programme in 2018 as one of the specialists who appraises objects brought in by members of the public.
A statement on Burrell’s Instagram said she died peacefully on Wednesday surrounded by her family.
It said: “She was an incredible person who fought hard for her family, friends and raising awareness of this cruel disease.
“She saw life events like her son’s first day at school and her wedding that a little over four years ago we thought she’d never see.
“The cancer community provided so much comfort and strength to her in her darkest moments. But most of all it provided hope and I think what she would want most of all is for other people to find hope in her story.”
The TV star from East Lothian was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 35 after several months of worsening symptoms.
She later underwent treatments including life-extending surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Following her diagnosis, Burrell told BBC Scotland News how she started feeling ill at the end of 2021.
“I had five or six months of increasingly worsening symptoms – headaches, sickness, problems with my vision, very, very pressurised pains in my head, migraines – the list went on.
“And it wasn’t until I went to A&E at the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh that I was given the diagnosis. I had absolutely no idea it was coming, it was a huge shock.”
Burrell has previously spoken about experiencing “dark thoughts” and her fears that she “wouldn’t see my son’s second birthday”.
“But I’m lucky enough to say I did! And no-one can take that away from me,” she wrote in a recent Instagram post.
Burrell married her husband Alex earlier this year, saying in a post on social media that it “feels so nice” to marry after many years together.
Glioblastoma is incurable and there has been no advance in treatments for two decades.
Around 3,200 people a year are diagnosed with it in the UK, of whom around 160 will live for five years or more.
‘Determined and truly inspiring’
Burrell became a vocal advocate in the fight against the disease, with campaign work focused on government funding, better diagnostic times, and the advancement of clinical trials.
In 2023, she became a patron of Brain Tumour Research – a charity dedicated to curing the disease.
Its chief executive Dan Knowles said: “We are heartbroken that we have lost the phenomenal, determined and truly inspiring Theo Burrell to this devastating disease.
“She was always very open about her prognosis and knew from the outset her cancer was terminal but she was absolutely determined to make a difference for others.
“She constantly inspired us with how big her heart was and we will continue on our mission, driven by everything she taught us.”
Also Read : Top Romantic European City Breaks for Couples (2025)
