Home and away star dead at 32

[Jimbo 175]

32 ffs.

 

RIP

 

 

 

 

Cancer claims Belinda Emmett

 

By Sarah Blake and Phillip Koch

 

November 12, 2006 12:00

Article from: The Sunday Telegraph

 

BELINDA Emmett - the inspirational actor whose battle with cancer captured Australia's heart - died in a Sydney hospital yesterday.

 

The 32-year-old passed away at dawn at St Vincent's Hospital with her husband, Rove McManus, her parents and siblings at her side.

 

"It is with great sadness we advise that Belinda Emmett's battle with cancer has ended,'' her family said in a statement.

 

Friends said McManus was shattered by his loss, and Network Ten yesterday issued a statement confirming that his live weekly variety show would not air this week.

 

"Ten will give Rove the time he needs away from the show and any support we can during this very sad time,'' the statement said.

 

The Prime Minister joined some of the biggest names in the Australian entertainment industry in paying tribute to Emmett's brave and dignified eight-year battle with two bouts of the disease.

 

"She fought a very courageous battle against cancer,'' Mr Howard said.

 

Opposition Leader Kim Beazley said: "This is truly sad news which I'm sure will affect all Australians as it's affected me.''

 

Emmett was just 24 when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. She was considered Australia's sweetheart and one of the most popular stars on Home And Away at the time.

 

The star quit the show in 1998 to focus on her health.

 

It was during this break from acting that Emmett - who was raised on the NSW Central Coast - fell in love with McManus, after the pair met at the opening of Fox Studios in 1999.

 

Following radiotherapy and a lumpectomy to remove the malignant tumour, Emmett returned to television to star in All Saints in 2000.

 

"I refused to give in to depression,'' Emmett, who is known to her closest friends as Belle, said at the time.

 

"You face the terrifying prospect of dying young, but I felt strong ... I really did.

 

"I honestly believe a positive mind can do anything. I thought, whatever it is, I'll deal with it.

 

"I never let myself think what have I got to do before I die.''

 

But in 2001, when the disease returned, she again quit acting.

 

A Sydney oncologist diagnosed Emmett with secondary cancer in her spine, and she was told that she would eventually die of the disease.

 

Emmett spent the next five years seeking alternate therapies and using her celebrity to increase cancer awareness.

 

Her last public appearance was on September 20 at Channel Seven's 50 years of television celebration, where as always, and despite her obvious frailty, her smile lit the room.

 

It is understood Emmett and McManus, who lived in Melbourne, had recently been staying in Sydney as her health worsened.

 

Author and actress Judy Nunn who starred with Emmett on Home and Away, said her friend had many friends in the Australian entertainment industry.

 

"I had a little cry,'' admitted Nunn, who said she and Emmett were great pals when they worked on the Channel Seven soap together.

 

"She is just a lovely, lovely girl. Belinda is one of those people who you never ever heard anything but glowing reports about.''

 

Nunn said she had last seen Emmett at the Star City party in September, but had not been able to speak to her for long.

 

"I just said a brief hello because one never wanted to intrude,'' she said.

 

"She has been very ill for quite some time but it still comes as a shock because she is so young and beautiful.

 

"It was the most wonderful love she and Rove shared. She just made everyone else around her happy. She was a wonderful person.''

 

McManus, the host of Rove and one of Australia's most popular television personalities, used his Logies acceptance speeches to pay public tribute to Emmett.

 

"When everything else seems crap - and sometimes in life things do seem crap - you're the one who makes me see what is important,'' McManus said.

 

The talk show host, who won four Logie statues, paid tribute to Emmett in his acceptance speech in 2003, describing her as his "partner in crime and life''.

 

Over the next few years the couple kept a low profile as Emmett underwent treatment but only ever shared a dazzling smile with her fans.

 

"Belinda is just wonderful,'' Rove said after winning his second Gold Logie in 2004.

 

"It goes without saying she is undoubtedly the best reward I've ever received.

 

"If the choice had to be made between this (the Logie) and her, I would hand back every single Logie.''

 

Emmett also radiated love when she spoke of the "incredible'' funnyman who was her fiance.

 

"I don't think I could have gotten through this (cancer treatment) the way that I have, if I hadn't had him here for support,'' she said.

 

A noticably frail but estatic Emmett married McManus in front of friends and family in January 2005 at Waverley church after becoming engaged the year before.

 

Former child actor Matthew Krok, who worked with Emmett on the sitcom Hey Dad, in which she started her acting career in 1994, said: "It is a big loss. I remember she used to a sing a lot. She had a lot of talent, and was a very nice girl.''

 

Channel Seven also issued a statement expressing its sympathy to Emmett's loved ones.

 

"During Belinda's time on Home and Away and All Saints, she made many long-lasting friendships,'' the statement said.

 

"Her acting ability and her warmth made her a joy to work with and her spirit will be remembered.''

[Sima 0]

Knew she had cancer for a while

 

RIP

[catmag 337]

Tragic at any age but dreadfully sad

 

RIP

[Bizza 105]

R.I.P

[ewerk 32279]

Was she Don Fisher's daughter? The music teacher?

[luckyluke 2]

Cancer is an absolute cunt.