Theo Burrell, a personality known for her appearances on the BBC program "Antiques Roadshow," has died at the age of 38. Her husband, Alex, confirmed her passing on Wednesday, stating that she died peacefully surrounded by family.
Burrell was diagnosed with terminal glioblastoma in 2022. Glioblastomas are aggressive, fast-growing cancerous brain tumors. According to The Brain Tumour Charity, the average survival time for glioblastoma is between 12 and 18 months. The cause of glioblastoma is unknown, but it may be related to genetic factors that lead to uncontrolled cell growth. Treatment typically involves surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible, followed by radiation and chemotherapy.
Despite her diagnosis, Burrell continued to share updates on her health and appeared on "Antiques Roadshow" between treatments. In January, she posted about undergoing surgery for her tumor, sharing a photo of her scar and expressing optimism about her recovery and upcoming treatment plan. She described herself as a "true fighter" in her posts.
In September, Burrell shared that scans had shown no active cancer cells, a result she attributed to her chemotherapy treatment. However, she also spoke about the challenging side effects of chemotherapy, which often left her fatigued and experiencing headaches, and had even led to a seizure-like episode. She had continued with treatment, aiming for stability and "one day at a time."
Burrell and her husband, Alex, married in April amid her cancer battle in an intimate ceremony in Edinburgh. She had regularly updated fans on her health journey since her 2022 diagnosis. Her husband noted her hard fight for her family, friends, and raising awareness for the disease, adding that she had achieved significant life events she thought she might not see. He expressed hope that her story would offer hope to others facing similar challenges.