Nicky Illis dead at 53: Fake or Fortune director who worked on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow passes away from cancer

TV director Nicky Illis who worked on BBC's Antiques Roadshow and Fake of Fortune has died.

The talented producer sadly passed at the age of 53 following a battle with cancer.

Nicky has tragically left behind her husband Seb and their two children, Luke and Eliza.

She first joined the industry as part of The Late Show in the 1990s before going on to direct history programmes such as One Foot in the Past and The House Detectives.

In 2009, she helped develop investigative art show Fake or Fortune.

Nicky ended up producing and directing ten series of the show.

Tributes have since been paid to the "irreplaceable" woman - with former colleague Fiona Bruce leading them.

The BBC journalist said: "Nicky is simply irreplaceable. Not just for her huge talent but also for her sheer exuberance, enthusiasm and sense of fun.

"Everyone on the team loved her and none more than me.";

Fake of Fortune series editor Robert Murphy described Nicky as his "partner in crime" as he revealed the office will now be a much quieter place.

He added: "Nicky and I first worked together in 2001 on the BBC series House Detectives, travelling to India to film the crumbling ruins of a house once occupied by Robert Clive.

"In the baking heat of Kolkata, I was privileged to see one of the best TV directors of their generation at work. Throughout her career, Nicky had an incredible drive and curiosity as well as visual flair – she always brought the best out of the cast and crew she worked with and inspired fierce loyalty in her teams.

"In 2012 we were reunited on the series Fake or Fortune and over the next decade we worked closely together as it grew into a hugely successful returning series.

"We were partners in art crime, united by our shared love of art, storytelling and the twists and turns of this addictive show. She was someone I respected immensely, not just as a director and peer but as an all-round good person, so kind and considerate, with a famous sense of humour.

"I can picture her coming into the office, coffee in one robehand, a bag slung over her arm bulging with art books, ready to solve another mystery.

"It’s quieter now and we’ve lost a precious font of knowledge, a trailblazer and a great friend. She will be very much missed.”