Tragedy as wheelchair-bound X Factor finalist Kerry McGregor dies of cancer, aged 37

By GAVIN MADELEY

Singing star: Kerry McGregor is pictured here during her time on the X Factor back in 2006 - it emerged yesterday that she has passed away from cancer at the age of 37

She captured millions of hearts as she battled bravely through to the finals of TV talent show X Factor.
But Scots singing star Kerry McGregor has lost her toughest fight of all after it emerged yesterday that she has died of cancer aged 37.
The wheelchair-bound singer and actress, who made the last ten of the ITV talent show in 2006, was diagnosed with bladder cancer two years ago but it was thought she was beating the killer disease after undergoing three months of gruelling chemotherapy which almost left her deaf.

Duet: Miss McGregor had been due to record a song with fellow Scot Susan Boyle just days before the tragic news was announced

The mother-of-one, who also starred in Channel 4 cult sit-com The Book Group, had been spurred on by messages of support from her X Factor mentor Sharon Osbourne, who fought her own battle with cancer, and fellow Scot and Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) star Susan Boyle, who hailed her as an inspiration in her autobiography.
Last night, it was revealed that Kerry and Miss Boyle were about to go into the studio together to record a duet until the project was halted just days ago by Kerry’s ill health.

Tragic: Kerry had pains in her stomach for two years before finding out she had bladder cancer - she also broke her back in an accident when she was just 13 years old

Kerry, of Pumpherston, West Lothian — who broke her back in a fall when she was 13 — was diagnosed with cancer in September 2010 after suffering two years of stomach pains.
When details of her illness were first made public in April last year, the singer, who leaves a son, Joshua, seven, with partner Dean Robertson, 36, property developer, said: 'It was small cell cancer, one of the fastest-spreading. I wasn't surprised. The fight is long, but I want to live. I've got so much more to give.'

Sad news: Simon Cowell tweeted his condolences to the family and friends of Kerry McGregor

However, last night, a brief statement from her management company said: 'It is with deep sadness we announce that Kerry passed away at home, earlier today following a battle with cancer. At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.'
Her manager, Ewan Gallagher, said: 'This is a desperately sad time for all Kerry’s friends and family. She was such a gifted singer and song-writer. She left more than 40 of her own songs unrecorded at her death.

Respect: Sharon Osbourne, who was on the X Factor judging panel when Kerry was a contestant, also sent her thoughts out to the family

Last month, she accepted a role as an ambassador with Action for Bladder Cancer (ABC), the UK’s only charity dedicated to fighting bladder cancer, the fourth most common cancer in men and 11th most common in women with around 10,000 Britons diagnosed with the disease every year.
Colin Bunce, chair of Action on Bladder Cancer, said: 'We are deeply saddened by the news about Kerry. She was a truly inspirational person and we were delighted when, before Christmas, she accepted our invitation to become an Ambassador for Action on Bladder Cancer.
'She was deeply committed to helping raise awareness about bladder cancer and our thoughts are very much with her family at this time.'



source: dailymail