Fake or Fortune pays emotional tribute to ‘much loved’ team member after sad death

FIONA Bruce has made an emotional statement about her 'loved friend' from Fake or Fortune who sadly died earlier this year.

Nicky Illis helped develop the investigative art show in 2009.

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She went on to produce and direct ten series of Fake or Fortune before passing away aged 53 after a battle with cancer.

At the end of last night's episode, presenter Fiona took a moment to remember Nicky and commemorate her work on the show.

She shared her tribute in a voice over that was played while images of the director flashed up on screen.

Fiona said: "Earlier this year we lost a much loved friend and colleague, Nicky Illis.

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"Nicky was a brilliant TV director with a passion for art, and was involved in Fake or Fortune from the very beginning.

"She will be so missed."

Fake of Fortune series editor Robert Murphy previously described Nicky as his "partner in crime" and revealed the office will be a much quieter place without her.

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.

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"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."

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