Theo Burrell, an expert on ceramics and glass on the popular BBC series “Antiques Roadshow,” died last week at the age of 39, months after she got married.
The death came four years after she was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, which the BBC described as “a highly aggressive brain tumour, which typically carries a life expectancy of 12-18 months.”
Burrell’s death took place on July 8, but her family officially announced her passing Saturday in an Instagram post.
“It is with great sadness that I share the news that Theo passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday afternoon. Neither she nor her medical team foresaw this happening quite so quickly,” their statement read. ”She was an incredible person who fought hard for her family, friends and raising awareness of this cruel disease.”
“The cancer community provided so much comfort and strength to her in her darkest moments. But most of all it provided hope and I think what she would want most of all is for other people to find hope in her story,” it continued.
Burrell’s death comes just months after she married her husband, Alex, in her hometown of Edinburgh, Scotland.
“It was amazing,” Burrell wrote on Instagram. “Not only did we have a lot of fun but it feels so nice to be husband and wife after all these years together.”
The two share a child, Jonah, who was 19 months old when she was diagnosed.
Two weeks ago, she posted an update on her health on the platform. She said June 7 “marked 4 years” since her diagnosis and that she’s lived longer than the 12-18 months she was given at the time.
“In the wake of that news I had many dark thoughts including that I wouldn’t see my son’s 2nd birthday let alone him starting school, but I’m lucky enough to say I did! And no one can take that away from me,” she wrote. “Life since second surgery in Jan this year has definitely been a bit up and down. My peripheral vision on the left has gone and I’m having to take it slowly wherever I go. My coordination is not what it was.”
Still, Burrell said, “Whatever the results, I’ll take stock, trust my oncologist and go from there,” adding that “we’ve just got to take it slowly but surely – every day we make is a bit of a win for us and a ‘GET LOST!’ to the illness!”
Burrell became interested in antiques from a young age, and earned a Master of Arts degree in History and a Master of Letters in Decorative Arts from the University of Glasgow.
She was hired in 2011 by the auction firm of Lyon & Turnbull to be a specialist in antiques and decorative arts, and joined the cast of “Antiques Roadshow” in 2018.
Burrell underwent various treatments, including brain surgery and chemotherapy. She also became an advocate of the UK nonprofit Brain Tumor Research three years ago.
The organization’s CEO, Dan Knowles, celebrated Burrell’s life in a post on its website.
“We are heartbroken that we have lost the phenomenal, determined and truly inspiring Theo Burrell to this devastating disease,” he said. “She was always very open about her prognosis and knew from the outset her cancer was terminal, but she was absolutely determined to make a difference for others.”
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