BBC radio presenter Rachael Bland has died after suffering from breast cancer, aged 40. A statement posted on her twitter account said: “Our beautiful, courageous Rachael died peacefully this morning surrounded by her close family. “We are crushed but she would want me to thank everyone who took an interest in her story or sent messages of support. You’ll never know how much they meant to her. Steve and Freddie xxx.” Bland was married to her husband, Steve, for almost five years and recently said she was rushing to complete a memoir for her two-year-old son, Freddie. She was initially diagnosed with primary triple negative breast cancer in November 2016 and has been documenting the process of dealing with the disease on the podcast You, Me and the Big C, which has the tagline “putting the can in cancer”. The Radio 5 Live broadcaster was told her cancer was incurable in May this year and revealed on the 3 August she had been ruled out of clinical trials due to medical complications. Paying tribute to Bland, husband Steve called her an “an incredibly talented broadcaster” as well as a “wonderful and much loved daughter, sister, aunt, niece, wife and, most importantly to her, a mother to her precious little Freddie”. He continued: “We all take such huge comfort and pride from the amazing and tireless work she has done since her diagnosis to reduce the stigma around cancer and prove that it is possible to live life to the fullest even when facing huge challenges on a daily basis. At the end, even though her body was at its weakest, her voice was at its strongest and most powerful.” Controller of Radio 5 Live, Jonathan Wall, also issued a statement following Bland’s death: “Today is a very sad day for all of us and so many of our listeners. She was a very talented broadcaster and a beautiful loyal colleague to so many. We are all so proud at what she achieved – a truly heroic broadcaster and lovely wife, daughter and mum.” UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 26 May 2021 Boats are seen at Southsea Moorings in Portsmouth REUTERS UK news in pictures 25 May 2021 York Glaziers Trust employees Kieran Muir (left) and Emily Price (right) remove a stained glass window panel at the start of a new five year, £5m project to conserve York Minster’s South East Transept and its medieval St Cuthbert Window PA UK news in pictures 24 May 2021 Dark rain clouds above an oast house at Bewl Water reservoir near Lamberhurst in Kent during one of the rainiest Mays on record, with the UK seeing 131 per cent of the usual month’s rainfall already PA UK news in pictures 23 May 2021 The Premier League trophy with the Manchester City club colour ribbons on, at Etihad Stadium, prior to the last Premier League match of the season. City will finally pick up the trophy after they won the league on 11 May Getty UK news in pictures 22 May 2021 Gary Kenny lifts the Buildbase FA Vase Trophy after Warrington Rylands won the FA Vase Final against Binfield at Wembley Stadium Getty UK news in pictures 21 May 2021 A family buffeted by the wind whilst crossing the the Millennium Bridge in London, with wind and rain forecast to ravage the UK on the first Friday that people have been allowed to meet in large groups outside in England PA UK news in pictures 20 May 2021 Devon And Cornwall Police Demonstrate Their Skills For Policing The G7 Summit Getty Images UK news in pictures 18 May 2021 An employee stands before a costume for the Queen of Hearts by Bob Crowley on display at the Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London PA UK news in pictures 17 May 2021 Passengers prepare to board an easyJet flight to Faro, Portugal, at Gatwick Airport after the ban on international leisure travel for people in England was lifted following the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England PA UK news in pictures 16 May 2021 Emergency workers at the scene of a suspected gas explosion, in which a young child was killed and two people were seriously injured, on Mallowdale Ave Heysham which caused 2 houses to collapse and badly damaged another PA UK news in pictures 15 May 2021 Pro-Palestinian activists and supporters let off smoke flares, wave flags and carry placards during a demonstration in support of the Palestinian cause as violence escalates in the ongoing conflict with Israel, in central London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 14 May 2021 Member of staffs tighten screws and paint a Marlin skeleton, before it goes on display at the Natural History Museum in London, as the museum prepares to reopen to the public on 17 May, following the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England PA UK news in pictures 13 May 2021 A worshipper at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Mordon, south London, ahead of Eid al-Fitr. The celebration marks the end of the Muslim month of fasting, called Ramadan. PA UK news in pictures 12 May 2021 A couple have wedding photos taken in Westminster, London Getty UK news in pictures 11 May 2021 The sun rises on Coquet Island, off Amble on the Northumberland coast, where as many as 35000 seabirds cram onto this tiny island to breed PA UK news in pictures 10 May 2021 Newly elected for a second term Mayor of London Sadiq Khan during his signing in ceremony at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on London’s Southbank PA UK news in pictures 9 May 2021 People mill around St. Michael's tower on top of Glastonbury Tor as it is seen through blooming yellow rapeseed on a day of mixed weather in Glastonbury, Somerset PA UK news in pictures 8 May 2021 Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford elbow bumps newly elected MS Labour candidates Elizabeth Buffy Williams, Rhondda, left, and Sarah Murphy, Bridgend & Porthcawl Labour, right, as they meet in Porthcawl, Wales PA UK news in pictures 6 May 2021 A group of five Sisters from Carmelite Monastery in Dysart cast their vote in the Scottish Parliamentary election at Dysart Community Hall, West Port, Dysart PA UK news in pictures 5 May 2021 Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer (centre) with West Midlands Metro Mayor candidate Liam Byrne (far right) and Labour Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner (far left) during a visit to Birmingham, whilst on the election campaign trail PA UK news in pictures 4 May 2021 Artists Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey stand within 100 oak saplings which form part of a living art installation entitled Beuys' Acorns by the UK-based artist duo, outside the Tate Modern in London PA UK news in pictures 3 May 2021 Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie feeds the Gentoo penguins during a visit to Edinburgh Zoo on the campaign trail for the forthcoming Scottish Parliamentary Election on May 6 PA UK news in pictures 2 May 2021 Chelsea players celebrate their fourth goal during the Women’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, at Kingsmeadow Stadium in south west London.<doc-sep>"We all take such huge comfort and pride from the amazing and tireless work she has done since her diagnosis to reduce the stigma around cancer and prove that it is possible to live life to the fullest even when facing huge challenges on a daily basis. At the end, even though her body was at its weakest, her voice was at its strongest and most powerful."<doc-sep>BBC presenter Rachael Bland's 'crushed' husband today paid tribute to her after she died aged 40 following an inspirational two-year public battle with cancer. The mother from Cheshire, who had triple negative breast cancer, moved thousands of people who hailed her bravery and dignity as she fought terminal illness. This morning, a post on Bland's Twitter account from her family said: 'Our beautiful, courageous Rachael died peacefully this morning surrounded by her close family. BBC newsreader Rachael Bland, pictured with her three-year-old son Freddie, died aged 40 this morning following an inspirational two-year public battle with cancer Bland, pictured with her husband Steve and son Freddie, built up a collection of handwritten notebooks and perfume so her three-year-old child 'would remember me in some way' A post on Bland's official Twitter account, featuring a picture of her with Steve, said: 'Our beautiful, courageous Rachael died peacefully this morning surrounded by her close family' BBC Radio 5 Live tweeted this morning: 'Our treasured colleague Rachael Bland has died' 'We are crushed but she would want me to thank everyone who took an interest in her story or sent messages of support. You'll never know how much they meant to her. Steve and Freddie xxx.' On Monday she told the world she only had days to live and announced the heartbreaking final arrangements made for her family as she bravely faced death. Her family confirmed that she had died this morning shortly after 3am. Bland's husband Steve told the BBC: 'Rachael's death has left a huge hole in our perfect little family that we'll never be able to fill. Rachael's death has left a huge hole in our perfect little family that we'll never be able to fill Steve Bland, husband 'She was an incredibly talented broadcaster as well as a wonderful and much-loved daughter, sister, aunt, niece, wife and, most importantly to her, a mother to her precious little Freddie. 'We all take such huge comfort and pride from the amazing and tireless work she has done since her diagnosis to reduce the stigma around cancer and prove that it is possible to live life to the fullest even when facing huge challenges on a daily basis. This is the last picture Rachael Bland posted on Twitter. It shows her (right) giggling with Radio 5 Live co-hosts and fellow cancer patients Lauren Mahon (centre) and Deborah James (left) Bland left her wishes for the family in a series of WhatsApp messages sent to Steve's sister Bland wrote an emotional goodbye message to her social media followers on Monday 'At the end, even though her body was at its weakest, her voice was at its strongest and most powerful. 'Putting the Can in Cancer': Rachael Bland's battle with deadly disease Rachael Bland is pictured in hospital about to undergo chemotherapy November 22 2016: Rachael Bland is diagnosed with primary triple-negative breast cancer that had spread to four lymph nodes under her right arm December 28 2016: She begins four and a half months of chemotherapy May 2017: She has a lumpectomy and auxillary node clearance July 2017: The mother-of-one undergoes a mastectomy August 2017: Bland has a re-excision of her lumpectomy and starts 15 sessions of radiotherapy October 2017: CT and biopsy shows cancer had spread to the lymph nodes under her arm on the opposite side to the primary cancer May 2018: She is told the cancer is terminal and she has 'less than a year to live' September 2018: Bland announces she has just days to live in a poignant social media post. She died today. Advertisement 'Rachael was and will always be an incredible inspiration to everyone she met. To us, she was perfect in every way and we will miss her more than words can say. 'We just ask that everyone respects our family's privacy as we try and come to terms with losing our beautiful girl.' Steve also posted a message on the official Instagram page of her blog, Big C Little Me, which said: 'Our brave, beautiful, wonderful, courageous Rachael died peacefully this morning surrounded by her close family. 'We are all heartbroken and the hole she leaves in our perfect little family will never be filled. 'To everyone who took an interest in her story over the last two years, downloaded the awe-inspiring You, Me and the Big C podcast or sent her messages of support, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You'll never know how much those messages meant to her and us. 'We'll miss her so very much but we couldn't be prouder of what she achieved in her 40 years, and we are genuinely comforted by the impact we know she had on so many lives. Thank you. Steve and Freddie xxx'. Bland poignantly revealed she had wrapped 18 years worth of birthday presents for three-year-old son Freddie so he had a gift from her until he was 21. But it is not yet known if she was able to finish her memoirs - simply called 'For Freddie' - which she had written just for him so he could remember her. The BBC 5 Live newsreader had also built up a collection of handwritten notebooks, perfume and other personal items so the little boy grows up knowing how his mummy wrote, smelled and sounded once she is gone. 5 Live host Emma Barnett (left, with Bland) tweeted: 'Rachael Bland who kept smiling (and telling me which side to stand on in our photos) regardless of what life kept on throwing at her' Bland discussed her fears about leaving behind her husband Steve and son Freddie (pictured together at Christmas last year) on her podcast about having cancer Bland was a newsreader for more than 15 years. She is pictured presenting on BBC News Her friend and colleague Tony Livesey said: '5 Live's lost one of its brightest spirits. I'm going into cliche territory now so she'll be pressing an alarm somewhere, but she was beautiful inside and out. She was such a lovely person. You, Me and The Big C now number one podcast after Rachael Bland's tragic news You, Me and the Big C reached number one in the UK podcast charts after host Rachael Bland was told she had only days left to live. The frank podcast features three friends discussing their struggles with the disease which has left the BBC 5 Live broadcaster and mother-of-one approaching the end. Since the announcement by the 40-year-old presenter on Monday, her humorous podcast has become number one in the charts. According to the BBC, which produces the podcast, of the top 20 health podcasts downloaded, 15 are episodes of You, Me and the Big C. Alongside friends Deborah James and Lauren Mahon, Bland has documented her cancer from first discovery, to being told it was incurable in May of this year, to finally being warned there were just days left. Coping alongside husband Steve and young son Freddie, Bland has fought the disease while trying to deny how long she has left. Advertisement 'Rachael Bland - presenter, friend to most of us, inspiration to all. Radio 5 Live is broadcasting with a broken heart. We've lost one of our brightest talents.' Later, he paid tribute to the on-air rapport they had on both his evening and drivetime shows on the station. Speaking to 5 Live's Chris Warburton, Livesey said: 'Initially when we first met I thought she was a posh girl, we were chalk and cheese. But we just got on so well. 'What I'm getting from people today who remembered the evening show we did together was just how we were slightly bonkers together and we helped a lot of people through a lot of tough times. It's our job to do that now with Steve and Freddie.' Livesey added: 'The closer to death she became, the determination she had to stick two fingers up to cancer was gloriously disproportionate to her state of health.' Livesey revealed how Bland encouraged her colleagues not to be sad around her following her diagnosis. He described her as an 'established pro' who helped him learn the ropes when he came to the station.<doc-sep>
BBC presenter Rachael Bland has died aged just 40 following a two-year battle with breast cancer. "Our beautiful, courageous Rachael died peacefully this morning surrounded by her close family," her husband Steve confirmed on Twitter at 11am today. "We are crushed but she would want me to thank everyone who took an interest in her story or sent messages of support. You’ll never know how much they meant to her. Steve and Freddie xxx" The inspirational newsreader - who laid bare her battle in the hope of helping others - died shortly after 3am, with Steve telling the BBC he had lost his 'beautiful girl'. “Rachael’s death has left a huge hole in our perfect little family that we’ll never be able to fill," Steve, who would have celebrated his fifth wedding anniversary with Rachael on September 14, said. “She was an incredibly talented broadcaster as well as a wonderful and much loved daughter, sister, aunt, niece, wife and, most importantly to her, a mother to her precious little Freddie. (Image: PA) (Image: Rachael Bland / Twitter) “We all take such huge comfort and pride from the amazing and tireless work she has done since her diagnosis to reduce the stigma around cancer and prove that it is possible to live life to the fullest even when facing huge challenges on a daily basis. At the end, even though her body was at its weakest, her voice was at its strongest and most powerful. “Rachael was and will always be an incredible inspiration to everyone she met. To us, she was perfect in every way and we will miss her more than words can say. “We just ask that everyone respects our family’s privacy as we try and come to terms with losing our beautiful girl.” And writing on her blog, You, Me and the BIg C - which shot to the top of the charts earlier this week - her heartbroken widow thanked her followers from the 'bottom of our hearts'. "Our brave, beautiful, wonderful, courageous Rachael died peacefully this morning surrounded by her close family," he said. "We'll miss her so very much but we couldn't be prouder of what she achieved in her 40 years, and we are genuinely comforted by the impact we know she had on so many lives." Her bosses at BBC Radio 5 live said it was a 'sad day' for staff and listeners as they begin to grieve the "talented broadcaster and a beautiful loyal colleague." "She turned the final year of her life into the finest year of her life delivering the most important broadcasting I have ever heard about living with cancer, and ultimately facing death because of cancer," said 5 Live controller Jonathan Wall. (Image: Internet Unknown) (Image: Rachael Bland / Twitter) Tony Livesey, Rachael’s colleague and friend, said: “5 live’s lost one of its brightest spirits. I’m going into cliché territory now so she’ll be pressing an alarm somewhere, but she was beautiful inside and out. She was such a lovely person. “Rachael Bland - presenter, friend to most of us, inspiration to all. Radio 5 live is broadcasting with a broken heart. We've lost one of our brightest talents.” Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas, whose wife Gemma died last year just days after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, sent his 'thoughts and prayers' to Steve and Freddie as he cursed cancer. "So quick in the end and so so tragic," he tweeted. "Another beautiful life cut cruelly short by the b**tard that is cancer. Steve & Freddie your wife & mum was a truly remarkable woman. Courageous. compassionate & so strong. My thoughts & prayers are with you both. God Bless." Fellow BBC broadcaster Reghmin Chowdry said the star - who wrote a book for her son in the last months of her life - would leave behind an 'incredible legacy'. "So sad, yet the most incredible legacy. What Rachael Bland left for fellow cancer sufferers and her 3 year-old baby boy blows me away. An amazing and inspirational woman. Humbled to have once shared the BBC News set with her. RIP," he tweeted. The newsreader was diagnosed with the devastating disease in November 2016 and underwent months of gruelling chemotherapy and lymph node surgery before learning the cancer had spread and was terminal last May. And she bid a heartbreaking goodbye to her fans on Monday, September 3 when she tweeted that she'd been given just days to live.