Antiques Roadshow star Theo Burrell has passed away at the age of 39 following her brain cancer diagnosis.
Her husband Alex confirmed the news via social media, writing: ‘It is with great sadness that I share the news that Theo passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday afternoon.
‘Neither she nor her medical team foresaw this happening quite so quickly.
‘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 4 years ago we thought she’d never see.’
The pair married in March this year, at an intimate ceremony in Edinburgh.
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Burrell was initially diagnosed after experiencing a series of terrible migraines in 2021.
A scan revealed that she had a glioblastoma – a type of brain tumour which begins as cell growth in the brain or spine.
‘I had absolutely no idea it was coming, it was a huge shock,’ she told Good Morning Scotland in 2023.’
‘At first, I didn’t quite realise what I was being told. The information in A&E was there was a 5m cancerous brain tumour in my head but it wasn’t until the next day that I saw my surgeon and he explained that this was in fact incurable cancer.’
Initially told that she had only three months to live, Burrell underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and was in a stable condition.
But in October 2024, she announced that her tumour had begun to grow again.
Earlier this year, Burrell married partner Alex.
Sharing a picture to her Instagram account, she wrote: ‘On 28th March Alex and I celebrated our wedding with our closest family and friends and it was amazing!! Not only did we have a lot of fun but it feels so nice to be husband and wife after all these years together.’
After paying tribute to the photographers and make-up artists who’d helped maketheir big day extra special, she added: ‘I’m still sleeping off the exhaustion and a cold but it was worth every second!
‘Next up I have a scan to get through… But we’ll deal with that when the time comes.’
Burrell is said to have spent her last hours surrounded by her family on July 8, before passing away.
Burrell worked for Lyon & Turnbull as an auctioneer and specialist in decorative arts and fine antiques since 2011.
She joined Antiques Roadshow in 2018, and joined the programme’s roster of specialists.
After being diagnosed, she became a patron for Brain Tumour Research, who penned a tribute to the television star.
The charity’s CEO,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. Our thoughts are with her family, her friends and with all those who had the privilege of knowing her.’