Caron Keating dies

Former TV presenter Caron Keating has died after a long battle with breast cancer.

The one-time Blue Peter presenter, daughter of Gloria Hunniford, was 42. A statement issued by Keating's family today said that her death had left an "unfilled void".

The family said: "At 6.15pm last night broadcaster Caron Keating sadly lost her seven-year battle against cancer, a battle she fought with enormous courage, tenacity and optimism. She passed away at her mother's home in Sevenoaks, in Kent, surrounded by her family."

She had two sons, Charlie, aged nine, and seven-year-old Gabriel, with husband Russ Lindsay. She was also a former presenter of ITV1's This Morning. She appeared in shows such as Holiday, We Can Work It Out, Summer Scene and Attractions, and was an entertainments correspondent for Carlton TV. Keating also presented chat show Family Affairs with her mother.

Today her family said: "Her husband and children were by her side throughout and her brothers, Michael and Paul, have been a constant support during her illness.

"Caron made a lasting impact on everyone she met. She was a beautiful, funloving, and spirited individual who throughout the last seven years has been a total inspiration to her family and friends.

"It goes without saying that she will leave an unfilled void in the family circle, but she leaves a legacy of wonderful memories and love, which will stay with us all our lives."

When Keating was first diagnosed with cancer, she and her husband sold their London home and moved the family to Fowey in Cornwall in the hope it would help her survive. When she left We Can Work It Out in 1999, it was assumed she was taking a break to concentrate on motherhood.

Then there were rumours of burnout and reports that she was suffering from "a viral infection". In fact she was being treated at a private London hospital.

In 2001 she appeared to be making a good recovery through a combination of conventional and alternative medicine. She also saw a spiritual healer whom she first met after her father, Don Keating died in 1997. She had even been set to relaunch her career in August 2001, but the recovery was not to last. Keating, her husband and sons spent her last two years in Byron Bay, Australia.

Terry Wogan, who had worked with Keating, today spoke of his "terrible shock" and added: "She had glorious qualities of charm and vivacity. She fought the cancer with immense courage."

Keating worked on Blue Peter from 1986 to 1990. Her former co-presenter Janet Ellis, who remained a close friend, said today: "She was brave and full of life right the way through her illness. She was a splendid mother."