Comedian and actor Maddy Anholt has died aged 35 after being diagnosed with a “rare and aggressive” form of brain cancer last year.
The BBC Radio 4 star learned of her condition after the birth of her daughter, her family said. Her death was announced on GoFundMe by her family, who wrote: “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the death of Maddy Anholt, our beloved daughter, sister, twin, friend, wife and mother, who left this world on Wednesday, September 13, aged 35.
“You may know that shortly after the birth of her incredible daughter Opal last year, Maddy was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. She handled the ensuing surgery and treatment with astonishing grace and courage, accompanied every step of the way by her family and devoted husband, Ben.
“She spent her final weeks at her parents’ home, Sunflower House, bathed in love and calm, and with the sounds of nature all around.” Tributes have poured in the 35-year-old, who was also a campaigner against domestic abuse, following her tragic death.
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Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women’s Aid, said the charity was “devastated” as she confirmed the death of their ambassador. Ms Nazeer said: “Maddy worked closely with us as she wrote her book about unhealthy relationships, and her passion was to raise awareness of abuse amongst younger people, which she did by working with us on our Love Respect website and through her comedy and writing.
“Maddy was a creative, caring and determined woman, who gave her time freely to support us at Women’s Aid. She wanted to help so that other young women would not experience controlling relationships, and in her memory we will strive to continue this important work. Today our thoughts are with Maddy’s family, her husband Ben, and her one-year-old daughter Opal.”
Anholt had appeared on ITV’s comedy series The Emily Atack Show and the broadcaster’s This Morning programme and BBC Three’s comedy Sunny D. Emily Atack has spoken of the “unbearably tragic loss” in a touching Instagram post dedicated to Anholt. She wrote: “It’s hard to find the words. Maddy Anholt was one of the sweetest, FUNNIEST, gorgeous and most hard working women I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing and working with.
“Just utterly beautiful and so talented. She made me laugh so much. Sending every ounce of my love and support to her family. Such an unbearably tragic loss.” Anholt also had her own BBC Radio comedy series about a failing vape cafe, set in Dundee, Scotland, called No Smoke, in 2017, and in 2015 took her one-woman comedy Diary Of A Dating Addict to the Gilded Balloon at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and the Soho Theatre.
She also wrote the handbook How To Leave Your Psychopath, which looks at coercive control and abusive relationships, last year and was set to follow it up with Red Flags in 2024.
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