Antiques Roadshow Specialist, 36, Faces Final Months of Life with Firstborn
Antiques Roadshow personality Theo Burrell has provided a health update following the diagnosis of his incurable brain cancer.
The 36-year-old, who joined the long-standing BBC series in 2018, disclosed in June that she had been diagnosed with an ‘incurable aggressive grade 4 brain tumour’ the previous year following the birth of her son.
The expert in ceramics, who has since undergone ‘surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy to manage the cancer,’ was given a prognosis of just two years to live and was informed that her ‘tumour will return and be fatal’.
Hailing from Edinburgh, Theo had previously expressed her profound distress at the diagnosis, which came when her son Jonah was merely a year old.
However, she has recently shared some encouraging news on social media after receiving the results of a scan for the grade four brain tumour – known as a Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM).
Accompanying a selfie of her blowing a party horn while giving a thumbs up, she wrote: ‘Good news! Another stable scan under my belt.’
She went on to say, “In the long run, my GBM remains a grim prognosis, it will eventually catch up with me. But today, let’s revel in a few more months of life! Never underestimate the blessings in your life. Never.”
Her words were swiftly met with an outpouring of supportive messages.
“You’re truly inspiring, Theo,” one individual penned.
“This is such heartening news, Theo… keep radiating positivity and embracing the best of life, for this moment is all we truly possess. Much love to you and your family xx,” remarked another.
Charity Brain Tumour Support expressed, “Such wonderful news to receive, and what a fitting message to mark this occasion.”
Theo, whose expertise lies in ceramics and glasswork, previously recounted how she began experiencing severe migraines in December 2021, rendering her unable to bend over or recline.
Upon consulting her GP, who couldn’t ascertain the cause, she underwent a scan six months later, revealing the presence of a 5cm tumour in her brain.
She had previously conveyed to the Daily Mail the profound impact of receiving her diagnosis at the age of 35, when her son was merely a year old.
“Everything changed overnight,” she shared. “I went from being a healthy person, in the midst of my life with a new baby, to facing an incurable cancer, with perhaps only one or two years left to live.”
Theo earned her MA in history followed by an MLitt in decorative arts from the University of Glasgow. Her expertise extends to European ceramics and glass, alongside a keen understanding of fine furniture and decorative art from 1860, tribal art, and taxidermy.
For those interested, Antiques Roadshow is available for streaming on BBC iPlayer.
