Much loved comedian Cal Wilson’s cause of death has reportedly been revealed.
The television personality died on Wednesday surrounded by family and friends in Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital after a short illness.
It is now understood the 53-year-old had been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer and that she had collapsed on the set of Great Australian Bake Off, which she co-hosted.
She was admitted to hospital after being treated for lower back pain, according to The Daily Telegraph.
The Daily Mail reports Wilson was in hospital for two weeks before her death and that she had battled the disease in private, telling only close family and friends.
Her death sparked an outpouring of grief across Australia and her homeland of New Zealand from some of those countries’ biggest television stars.
Bake Off judge Darren Purchase praised his “joyful, funny and kind” co-star before revealing he could not get out of his head the last time he saw her when she appeared very sick.
“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 wrote.
“I wish I could give her a hug and tell her how much she means to me and so many people.”
The shocking news was revealed on her Instagram with a post that read: “Vale Cal Wilson. 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 in hospital after a short illness.
“Cal was loved by her family, friends, fans and peers, and a huge hole has been torn in the heart of our community.”
Wilson appeared on a number of Australian TV shows, including The Great Australian Bake Off, Spicks and Specks, The Project, Would I Lie To You?, and Have You Been Paying Attention?
Australian actor and comedian Rebel Wilson said the news was “tragic”.
“My heart goes out to Cal’s family. I was very, very lucky to work with Cal on multiple projects, especially over the last few years, where she wrote brilliant material for me. She was amazingly talented and amazingly kind,” she said.
Wilson is survived by her husband, Chris, and son Digby.