'FORCE OF NATURE'
Laura Nuttall dead: Woman, 23, who inspired Peter Kay’s first gig in 4 years tragically dies after brain cancer battle
A CAMPAIGNER who inspired comedian Peter Kay's first gig in years has died following a four-year battle with brain cancer.
Laura Nuttall, 23, was diagnosed with glioblastoma after a routine eye test in 2018 and passed away in the early hours of this morning.
9
9
Paying tribute to her daughter on Twitter, her mum Nicola said Laura had been "fierce and tenacious to the end".
She said: "I'm heartbroken. It was truly the honour of my life to be her mum.
"We are devastated at the thought of life without our girl.
"She was a force of nature."
READ MORE HEALTH NEWS
Laura was just six weeks into her first term at Kings College London when she started to get painful headaches.
The politics, philosophy and economics student underwent a physical examination as part of her application to join the Royal Navy - including an eye test.
The optician discovered pressure behind her eyes, and scans revealed she had six brain tumours.
She later learned she had glioblastoma - a fast-growing form of cancer, which was stage four.
Most read in Health
After diagnosis, Laura, from Barrowford, Lancashire, was given just 12 months to live.
But between then and her death, she completed a "bucket list" of goals.
This included graduating from the University of Manchester, commanding a Navy ship, and presenting a BBC weather forecast.
She also went fishing with Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer, met Johnny Marr, watched Fleabag live on stage, hung out with Michelle Obama, and raised thousands of pounds for brain cancer charities.
In 2021, Kay, who worked with Laura's dad Mark, played two sell-out comeback gigs to fundraise for her treatment, which is not available on the NHS.
He had taken a break from public life after cancelling his live shows due to "unforeseen circumstances".
Kay, who visited Laura at home, performed at the O2 Apollo in Manchester, in aid of Doing It For Laura and The Brain Tumour Charity.
She then travelled to Cologne, Germany, for immunotherapy and dendritic cell vaccination.
Laura said at the time: "When he’s on TV he’s Peter Kay, but when he comes round to visit, he’s just Peter.
"He concentrates on making me laugh and he’ll do it until my cheeks hurt.
"He’ll text me before an important appointment or just to see how I am. He’s become a real friend."
Despite extensive treatment and surgeries, Laura was last year told the cancer had spread and there was little hope for survival.
Her family decided to celebrate Christmas six weeks early in case she didn't make it.
Her dad Mark said: ";We are so very proud of her and what she achieved in her short life.
"Her flame burned so brightly, unfortunately not nearly for long enough.
"She leaves a chasm behind and we now have to find some way of filling that void.
"But we will and and we'll continue to support the charities and beliefs which were very important and dear to Laura."
READ MORE SUN STORIES
In Britain, 33 people a day — more than 12,000 a year — are diagnosed with primary brain tumours.
Just 12 per cent live longer than five years.
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
What is glioblastoma?
GLIBLASTOMA is the most common high grade cancerous primary brain tumour in adults.
It begins in the brain and almost never spreads to other parts of the body. However, its complexity makes it difficult to treat.
There are no known causes of glioblastoma, as is the case with most brain tumours, therefore, there is no clear way to prevent the disease.
What are the symptoms of glioblastoma?
The symptoms can initially be quite non-specific.
The brain controls so many different functions that the symptoms someone experiences will depend partly on where the tumour is.
People may confuse their symptoms for various other problems, such as stress or even a hangover.
The symptoms can get worse very quickly, sometimes progressing to unconsciousness.
says tumours increase pressure in the skull, causing headaches.
Other symptoms to look for are:
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of balance
- Mood swings
- Problems speaking
- Problems with memory or concentration
- Seizures
- Impaired vision
Topics