Dianne Oxberry, the BBC weather presenter, had died just days after her colleagues discovered she was unwell.
The 51-year-old passed away at the Christie cancer hospital in Manchester on Thursday last week, the broadcaster said in a statement.
She had presented the weather forecast on BBC North West Tonight for 24 years and also was a regular presence on regional current affairs programmes and BBC Radio Manchester.
Ms Oxberry’s husband, Ian Hindle, said he and their children would miss her “more than anyone can imagine”.
He added: “Dianne was an amazing wife and mother who embraced life to the full. She was an inspiration to all who knew and loved her but also to the people who watched and welcomed her into their homes each night as if she were part of their family too.
“She will leave a massive void in our lives but, because of the remarkable person she was, she will forever live on in our hearts.”
Born in Sunderland and trained in meteorology at the Met Office College, Ms Oxberry started at the BBC’s north west office in 1994 after a period on Simon Mayo’s Radio 1 show.
Her colleagues on North West Tonight, who had only found out she was battling illness this year, said they were “heartbroken” by her death. She last appeared on TV in mid-December.
Roger Johnson, a presenter on the programme, said: “We are heartbroken by Dianne’s death. It is almost impossible to comprehend. Dianne was North West Tonight. It’s hard to imagine the programme without her.
“Our thoughts are with Ian and all of Dianne’s family. We hope they will find some comfort in the knowledge so many people loved Dianne and will miss her terribly.”
Annabel Tiffin, another presenter, said: “This is an enormous shock for all of us. I can scarcely believe Dianne has died. She was loved by our viewers, by all of us at North West Tonight. My heart breaks for her family.
“Di was so talented, so beautiful, so funny and so full of life. On screen she was a star, radiating warmth and good humour. Off screen, she was a wonderful colleague, a loyal friend, and I will miss her terribly.”
