New Zealand comedian Cal Wilson’s cause of death has been confirmed.
The Bake Off presenter was a regular on Australian TV, having appeared on programmes such as Would I Lie To You?, Good News Week, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, as well as hosting The Great Australian Bake Off.
She was also an accomplished stand-up comic and even had her own Netflix special.
Tragically, Willson passed away aged 53 on October 11 and now her cause of death has been disclosed.
In a statement shared by Wilson’s management Token Artists, it was announced that she had died at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital following a battle with a ‘short illness’.
It reads: “We are devastated to share the news that Cal Wilson, the much-loved stand-up comedian, writer and actor died today, surrounded by family and friends after a short illness at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. She was 53 years old.”
The news was also shared on Wilson’s Instagram page, which says she died with her friends and family by her side.
“Cal was loved by her family, friends, fans and peers and a huge hole has been torn in the heart of our community,” it adds.
It has now been confirmed that Wilson was privately battling a rare form of cancer – which has been announced as the cause of her death.
She was reportedly filming the latest season of Bake Off when she was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, as per the Daily Telegraph (via News.com.au).
The outlet also reports that only a small group of people close to Wilson knew about her cancer diagnosis.
According to the Daily Mail, the comedian had been admitted to hospital just a few weeks before her death.
Shortly after her passing, Great Australian Bake Off judge Darren Purchas said the Dancing with the Stars contestant looked ‘very sick’ the last time he saw her.
“I am sorry this has happened to such a good person, and I cannot get out of my head the last time I saw her when she was very sick,’ he penned.
“I wish I could give her a hug and tell her how much she means to me and so many people.”
In one of Wilson’s final interviews, she was asked what her 14-year-old son Digby will remember her for.
Appearing on Adam Miller’s Bakeology podcast, she responded: “I think it will be for pancakes because that’s a fairly regular weekend thing.
“And when you serve the pancakes you throw them like a frisbee, the first couple, and then if you’re going to have maple syrup on them obviously you don’t do that.
“You always do the test pancake – hurl it across the kitchen.”
She mentioned that he will also remember her for their gingerbread baking sessions.
Wilson is survived by her husband Chris Woods and their son.
