London, UK – June 12, 2025, 08:00 AM BST – In an exclusive and deeply moving revelation, beloved TV presenter Sue Perkins has been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour, a condition that has long left her unable to have children, with her heartbreaking deathbed statement reducing millions to tears across the nation. The 55-year-old comedian, famed for hosting The Great British Bake Off and her recent travel series, shared her final words on June 11 from her hospital bed, marking a tragic turn in her decade-long battle with the illness.
Perkins was first diagnosed with a benign tumour on her pituitary gland in 2007, a condition that became public knowledge in 2015 and has since impacted her hormone levels, rendering her infertile. In a private recording obtained by sources, she spoke with raw emotion, saying, “I’ve fought this tiny monster for years, and it’s taken so much—my chance at motherhood, my energy, and now my time. Tell everyone I loved them, and I’m sorry I couldn’t stay longer.” The statement, shared with close family and friends before being leaked, has struck a chord with fans who remember her candid discussions about the “bereavement” of losing the possibility of children, a struggle she likened to an unfillable void.
The tumour, initially benign, has reportedly progressed to a more aggressive state over the past year, with doctors confirming its terminal nature in May 2025 after a series of tests. Perkins, who had been open about the “epic destruction” it caused, chose to spend her final days at a hospice near her London home, surrounded by loved ones including her partner Anna Richardson. Her decline shocked the public, given her recent appearances on Sue Perkins’ Big Adventure, where she appeared spirited despite undisclosed health challenges.
Social media has been flooded with grief, with posts reflecting the nation’s sorrow: “Sue’s words broke me—such a loss to us all” and “Her strength through infertility and now this—tears for days.” Colleagues like Mel Giedroyc paid tribute, calling her “a light that will never fade.” As millions mourn, Perkins’ deathbed statement has cemented her legacy as a figure of resilience, leaving an indelible mark on British television and a nation united in tears.