Theo Burrell, an expert on the BBC's Antiques Roadshow, has died at the age of 39, just three months after her wedding. Her husband, Alex Leaver, announced the news on Instagram, revealing that her death occurred more rapidly than anticipated following her diagnosis with a grade four glioblastoma brain tumour in June 2022.
Husband Pays Tribute
Alex Leaver shared a photograph of Theo embracing a dog and wrote: "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. She was an incredible person who fought hard for her family, friends and raising awareness of this cruel disease."
He added: "She saw life events like her son's first day at school and her wedding that a little over 4 years ago we thought she'd never see. 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. Hope that the statistics aren't gospel and that one day they'll be very different."
Cancer Journey
Theo was diagnosed with a grade four brain tumour in June 2022 and was given 12-18 months to live. She documented her battle online, sharing updates after her second brain surgery and detailing vision difficulties and headaches. In a post marking four years since her diagnosis, she wrote: "On 7th June this year, I marked 4 years since my glioblastoma diagnosis. Like other GBM patients I was expected to live for 12-18 months. 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 continued: "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. However this week Alex and I got the help of my parents and we've made it to the Lakes for 4 nights of chilling out. Having such warm weather has therefore been a bit of an extra bonus. Of course the next scan looms but I've dug deep and found a new bit of determination to say to the GBM 'I will not give up. Whatever the results, I'll take stock, trust my oncologist and go from there.'"
Antiques Roadshow Career
Theo had been an expert on the BBC's long-running Antiques Roadshow since 2018. She was appointed as a Brain Tumour Research Patron in 2023 and campaigned tirelessly in Holyrood and Westminster to ensure brain tumour patients' voices were heard. She played a crucial role in helping the charity establish the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, where research focuses on advancing new treatments for glioblastoma into clinical trials.
Tributes
Dan Knowles, CEO of Brain Tumour Research, said: "We are heartbroken that we have lost the phenomenal, determined and truly inspiring Theo Burrell to this devastating disease. 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. She constantly inspired us with how big her heart was and we will continue on our mission, driven by everything she taught us. Our thoughts are with her family, her friends and with all those who had the privilege of knowing her."
