A CAMPAIGNER who inspired comedian Peter Kay’s first gig in years has died following a four-year battle with brain cancer.
Laura Nuttall, 23, was diagnosed with glioblastoma after a routine eye test in 2018 and passed away in the early hours of this morning.
Laura Nuttall, 23, was diagnosed with glioblastoma after a routine eye test in 2018
Peter Kay on stage for the first time in years to raise money for Laura’s treatment
Paying tribute to her daughter on Twitter, her mum Nicola said Laura had been “fierce and tenacious to the end”.
She said: “I’m heartbroken. It was truly the honour of my life to be her mum.
“We are devastated at the thought of life without our girl.
“She was a force of nature.”
After diagnosis, Laura, from Barrowford, Lancashire, was given just 12 months to live.
But between then and her death, she completed a “bucket list” of goals.
This included graduating from the University of Manchester, commanding a Royal Navy ship, and presenting a BBC weather forecast.
She also went fishing with Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer, met Johnny Marr, watched Fleabag live on stage, and raised thousands of pounds for brain cancer charities.
In 2021, Kay, who worked with Laura’s dad Mark, played a comeback gig to fundraise for her treatment, which is not available on the NHS.
He had taken a break from public life after cancelling his live shows due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
Kay, who visited Laura at home, performed at the O2 Apollo in Manchester, in aid of Doing It For Laura and The Brain Tumour Charity.
She then travelled to Cologne, Germany, for immunotherapy and dendritic cell vaccination.
Laura said at the time: “When he’s on TV he’s Peter Kay, but when he comes round to visit, he’s just Peter.
“He concentrates on making me laugh and he’ll do it until my cheeks hurt.
“He’ll text me before an important appointment or just to see how I am. He’s become a real friend.”
Despite extensive treatment and surgeries, Laura was last year told the cancer had spread and there was little hope for survival.
Her family decided to celebrate Christmas six weeks early in case she didn’t make it.
In Britain, 33 people a day — more than 12,000 a year — are diagnosed with primary brain tumours.
Just 12 per cent live longer than five years.
The campaigner died on May 22, 2023, her mum confirmed
Comedian Peter Kay was a friend of Laura’s dad
Fans in the queue outside the O2 Apollo in Manchester ahead of Kay’s comeback gig
