Lorraine Kelly reveals ‘heartbreaking news’ as show producer, aged 25, passes away
Hannah Hawkins became a member of Lorraine's team the previous year, following her tenure at Capital Radio.
Lorraine Kelly has shared the heartbreaking news that one of her colleagues from her eponymous show has sadly passed away at the age of 25.
ITV producer Hannah Hawkins received a terminal cancer diagnosis at the young age of 25, a mere two months after becoming a first-time mother. Today, her husband Tom revealed that she passed away on the eve of his birthday.
Hannah was initially diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago and achieved remission in 2021. However, just two days before the birth of her son, her condition took a rapid turn for the worse, and the cancer returned.
Tom took to Instagram this evening to announce the sombre news.
In a heartfelt post, he expressed, “Hannah Hawkins 11.12.89 – 3.11.23. For someone whose love language was gift-giving, departing from us on the eve of my birthday was truly heartrending. I only wish you could’ve returned it.”
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“There’s simply no way I can do justice or encapsulate you in a single post. Frankly, I could pen an essay on the sheer injustice of it all. The fact that you’ll never witness Rory’s growth, that he won’t get to experience his mum’s love, and that this cruel ailment took its toll so swiftly.
“But that wasn’t your perspective. The extraordinary person you were, the phrase you uttered so frequently in these past weeks – and each time, it struck a chord with me; ‘I’m so content with the life I’ve led’ is something we can all look up to. The way you prioritised others’ feelings right until the very end, and kept us all in stitches, was quintessentially you.”
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“Your life can be epitomised by love, camaraderie, and resilience, and I will ensure these remain the pillars of Rory’s existence. I want him to understand the depth of affection everyone held for his mum and the boundless love you bestowed upon us. You never failed to remind me in my darkest hours, ‘remember, you are cherished’. I want him to recognise that you were someone who could step into a room of strangers and emerge having forged friendships that would last a lifetime. Our social calendar was always so packed, we physically couldn’t accommodate everyone we wanted to meet. Moreover, I want him to grasp the courage you exhibited every day, confronting whatever challenges life presented you with the fortitude of a warrior, a smile gracing your face, and laughter dancing in your eyes.”
“This is the legacy you leave for our little boy, this and so much more. Thank you for 13 amazing years, even brighter than the moon. Forever.”
The Scottish TV presenter who collaborated with Hannah on her show shared Tom’s post, adding, “The saddest news.”
Hannah joined Lorraine’s team last year after her time at Capital Radio.
The new mother-of-one was diagnosed with Triple-negative breast cancer during lockdown, a rare and aggressive form of the disease lacking common receptors. Hannah became aware of the potential cancer after discovering a lump in her breast and observing discharge, both of which are warning signs that all women should be vigilant for.
Hannah went through a course of treatment and a round of IVF before receiving the news that she was free from cancer. Encouraged by this, she embarked on the challenge of crossing the Sahara Desert to raise funds for CoppaFeel! In August of this year, Hannah and Tom celebrated the arrival of their son, Rory. However, their happiness was short-lived when they received the devastating news that her cancer had come back.
