Australian comedian Cal Wilson was suffering from an aggressive form of cancer when she died, Chron Australia learns.
Wilson was surrounded by friends on Wednesday as she died at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney.
The comedian was filming The Great Australian Bake Off in Sydney when she was rushed to hospital after being treated for back pain.
Doctors are believed to have diagnosed the New Zealand-born star with an aggressive form of cancer. She was in the hospital for two weeks before her death.
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford revealed the comedian collapsed on the set of The Great Australian Bake Off a few weeks ago.
It has emerged that Australian comedian Cal Wilson has died after a battle with cancer
He suspected the cancer had something to do with her lungs.
Her management team at Token Artists said in a statement on Wednesday that she was dealing with a “brief illness.”
Just five days before her death, Wilson appeared in promotional images for Melbourne Fringe Festival act The 50 Year Show.
She is survived by her husband Chris and their son Digby.
Wilson was born in New Zealand and moved to Melbourne in 2003, where she met her future husband in a bar in the trendy suburb of Northcote.
“I had just gotten out of a bad relationship and we met at a mutual friend’s gig. I thought, ‘He could be a great fling.'” “Twenty years later, we’re still together with a 14-year-old son,” she told the Sydney Morning Herald in July.
The couple married in 2008 and had a son the following year.
Doctors are believed to have diagnosed the New Zealand-born star with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, The Daily Telegraph reported
Woods works in the education sector and appears to be an extremely private person, as he has rarely been seen at events with his wife.
“Chris is kind and a man of his word,” Wilson said earlier this year.
“One night when he couldn’t stay at a performance, he told me he had to leave because he wanted to see one of his students run cross country. I thought, ‘Wow, here’s a man who decided to become a teacher, not because of the money, but because he really loves it,'” she added.
Wilson experienced some obstacles on her path to love and admitted that she had “terrible taste in men” in her 20s.
“I was drawn to the bad boys and eventually realized they were assholes,” she said.
She met her first boyfriend at the age of 15. He was 19 at the time and her parents didn’t let them spend time alone together.
Peter Ford also revealed on John Stanley’s 2GB radio show on Wednesday night that the comedian collapsed on the set of The Great Australian Bake Off just weeks ago
“He visited me at my family home, but my parents did not allow me to leave the front gate, so I could only speak to him from the courtyard,” she said.
“It was very pure and innocent and didn’t last long.”
Melbourne photographer Alan Moyle shared a loved-up photo of Chris and Cal at Chris and Cal’s wedding in 2003 on Instagram and captioned it with some heartbreaking words.
“We had so many memories, both professional and fun, from the first shoot in 2003 to her and Chris’ colorful wedding,” he wrote.
“I will miss them and am devastated for Chris, Digby, the cats and the whole extended family.”
The Christchurch native has appeared at the Melbourne Comedy Festival 14 times and most recently co-hosted Foxtel’s The Great Australian Bake Off. She also appeared in her own Netflix stand-up special.
The comedian was in Sydney filming Bake Off when she was rushed to hospital following treatment for lower back pain
In the hours after her death was announced, Darren Purchase – the baking show judge – shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram.
“Cal was light and so cheerful, good person, funny and the kindest,” he wrote.
“This is so unfair and I will never forget my precious time with Cal.”
He also spoke candidly about the last time he saw Wilson.
“I’m sorry this happened to such a good person and I can’t get out of my mind the last time I saw her was when she was very sick,” he wrote.
“I wish I could hug her and tell her how much she means to me and so many people.”
Tributes to the comedian flooded social media on Wednesday afternoon.
Australian actress Rebel Wilson said: “This is so tragic and my heart goes out to Cal’s family.”
“I have been very fortunate to have worked with Cal on several projects, particularly in the last few years where she has written brilliant material for me. “She was incredibly talented and incredibly kind.”
Adam Miller, who was a finalist on The Great Australian Bake Off this year, also paid tribute, recalling the moment Wilson comforted him on set.
“I can’t stop thinking about the time Cal saw me alone in the corner of the Bake Off shed and realized I was pretty overwhelmed by it all and he gave me the warmest, most comforting hug,” wrote he.
“At that moment I burst into tears and she just stood there sharing words of wisdom and hilarious words to get me through that moment.”
She is survived by her husband Chris (pictured on their wedding day) and their son Digby
Wilson has also worked as a radio and television host, actress and author. She appeared in the television shows “Spicks and Specks,” “Would I Lie to You,” and “Good News Week.”
Radio presenter Myf Warhurst, who frequently appeared with Wilson on ABC’s Spicks and Specks, wrote: “Oh Cal, what absolutely devastating news.” What a joy it has been to be in her great orbit over the years . My love to everyone who loves her x’
The show’s host, Adam Hills, shared his own tribute.
“The news of Cal’s death broke me a little, but the love for her was so heartwarming,” he wrote.
“She was one of the best people in life and she made everyone happy.” Everyone. From the stage and on the stage. This is how you live a life. May her spirit live on. I love you, Calbo.’
Comedian and TV presenter Julia Zemiro said: “Very generous.” Very best. “A huge hole in the art scene and in my heart.”
The 53-year-old has appeared at the Melbourne Comedy Festival 14 times and most recently co-hosted The Great Australian Bake Off