Strictly star Kate Silverton has revealed her mother Patricia has died after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last summer.
The BBC presenter and child counsellor shared an emotional tribute to Patricia, who passed away “peacefully and with great grace” earlier this month aged 83.
“I feel as though I’ve been holding my breath for a very long time,” she wrote alongside photos with her mother on Instagram on Tuesday.
Silverton - who appeared on Strictly in 2018 - went on: “Last summer my dear mum was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Having initially chosen to forgo treatment, she later discovered a clinical trial and requested to take part.
“At 83, having chemotherapy and immunotherapy was no mean feat, but mum showed incredible bravery and stoicism as she returned each week for treatment.
“It was as much she said, to help her have more time, as to help others who were sadly in the same situation.”
Silverton continued: “The trial drugs showed great promise and mum’s tumour shrank by 42 per cent. Sadly, however the cancer caught up with her and she passed, peacefully and with great grace on Wednesday 8th April.
“I am grateful for so much - and my sisters and I know how lucky we are to have had mum with us for as long as we did.”
The author went on to describe their previously strained relationship.
“My relationship with my mum was complex and had not been without difficulty in earlier decades,” she explained.
“I attribute therapy to being able to heal the wounds that existed - and for being able to love my mum - and come to a enjoy a great sense of peace and understanding between us that saw us forge the most beautiful bond in our later years.
“It means I am able now to remember her for all the good times and all the wonderful things she did - and the joy she brought and support she gave to all in her family.
“I shall remember her laugh, her sense of style, her logic, intelligence, her protection and love for her family and her extraordinary energy and capacity to ‘do’.”
Silverton concluded: “Fly well mum and give dad a big kiss from us all.”
Her father, Terry Silverton, passed away in 2015 at age 76 from cancer.
He was a beloved figure in her life, and she has often spoken about feeling his presence and encouragement, particularly during her time on Strictly.
She appeared on the BBC dance competition in 2018 for series 16 and finished in eighth place.
“He is no longer by my side but always in my heart and in spirit,” Silverton said in 2024, while describing how her father gave her the “confidence” to try new things.
Silverton studied psychology at Durham university and became a journalist, featuring on BBC News at Six, News at Ten and Panorama.
