Devastated author dad of Maddy Anholt shares poem after BBC star died from cancer following her daughter’s birth
THE devastated author dad of Maddy Anholt has shared a poem after the BBC star died from cancer.
Laurence Anholt, a popular children’s writer, penned a short acrostic poem in memory of his daughter yesterday.
Maddy died aged 35 after a brain cancer diagnosis in 2022.
Her dad Laurence posted the poem on X, formerly Twitter, spelling out his daughter’s five-letter name.
Beside each letter he wrote another word, to make the phrase: “My Amazing Daughter Died Yesterday… and we are heartbroken.”
Maddy, who was diagnosed with cancer just after giving birth to her daughter, starred in several BBC, ITV and Channel 4 sitncomes.
She was also a regular guest on This Morning.
Maddy was passionate about combatting domestic violence and toxic relationships, authoring two books on the subject.
And she was an ambassador for Women’s Aid.
Anholt wrote for The Sun in 2022 about how to look after yourself while leaving a toxic relationship.
In a GoFundMe post, her family said: “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the death of Maddy Anholt, our beloved daughter, sister, twin, friend, wife and mother, who left this world on Wednesday 13th September, aged 35.
“You may know that shortly after the birth of her incredible daughter Opal last year, Maddy was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer.
“She handled the ensuing surgery and treatment with astonishing grace and courage, accompanied every step of the way by her family and devoted husband, Ben.
“She spent her final weeks at her parents’ home, Sunflower House, bathed in love and calm, and with the sounds of nature all around.
The family added: “We are overwhelmed with gratitude to the many friends who have upheld us with their love and prayers during this difficult time – as well as the countless nurses, doctors and the NHS as a whole, who treated her with unfailing dignity and compassion.
“In particular we would like to thank the magnificent team at Seaton Hospice at Home, who are the embodiment of empathy, professionalism and love.”
In a heartbreaking final post Maddy revealed her plans for the future before the shock diagnosis.
Anholt wrote: “I’m basically living now in red dresses and lipstick that exactly matches my book cover.
“Look close and you’ll see the multiple boxes precariously balancing a table of books and flowers. Behind the scenes of dreams.”
THE SIGNS OF BRAIN CANCER YOU MUST NEVER IGNORE
THE symptoms of a brain tumour depend on its severity and which part of the brain is affected.
However, the NHS says there are common signs that people can look out for if they are worried.
These include severe, non-stop headaches, seizures as well as nausea, vomiting and drowsiness.
Other signs can include vision or speech problems, paralysis and even changes to a person’s taste and smell and ability to remembering things.
These symptoms can appear suddenly or develop slowly over time.
If you have one or more of these symptoms and you want to get them checked out, there are a couple of different routes you can take, according to The Brain Tumour Charity.
You can contact your GP who will be able to arrange the right tests and get you checked for a brain tumour.
Sometimes eye tests can actually discover brain tumours.
However, if the symptoms are sudden or severe, you should go to your emergency department or call 999.