Rebekah Gibbs, best known for her role as paramedic Nina Farr in the BBC drama Casualty, died aged 41 in 2014 after a battle with breast cancer. The actress had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease just weeks after giving birth to her daughter, Gigi.
Gibbs played Nina Farr in the prime-time Saturday evening series for three years, leaving the show in 2006 to start a family. Before Casualty, she appeared on stage in productions including Starlight Express, A Chorus Line and Grease, and also made television appearances in The Bill.
Diagnosis weeks after childbirth
Gibbs first received her breast cancer diagnosis in 2008, shortly after the birth of her daughter. She had discovered a lump during pregnancy, just weeks before delivery. The cancer was later found to be an aggressive variant, and she resolved to fight it.
Writing a column for the Mirror about her experience, Gibbs said: "I close my eyes, and I am right back there, in front of the TV, feeling petrified as I desperately run my finger above my baby bump and under my breast, willing the lump to disappear. That crushing fear has stayed with me. It's with me every day."
Cancer-free milestones and relapse
Two years after her original diagnosis, Gibbs marked the milestone of being cancer-free. She said at the time: "I won't get cocky though and I take each day as it comes. I am always a little unsure about the future."
In 2013, Gibbs and her family celebrated reaching her five-year cancer-free milestone. However, while on a break in Devon with her daughter and husband, Ashley Pitman, the following year, she suffered a seizure.
Tributes from co-stars
Gibbs was taken to hospital and found to have two brain tumours, one in her neck and a lesion on her lung. She was moved to The Hospice in the Weald in Kent, where she died surrounded by her family.
Her husband, Ashley, said at the time: "Rebekah had wonderful care and felt loved and safe right up until the end, especially with the outstanding nursing staff at the Hospice in the Weald, who were exceptional. I'd like to thank them and her dear, loving friends, from the bottom of my heart for all the love and support we received over the last year. Without which Rebekah and I would not have been able to cope."
He added: "I'd also like to thank everyone for their kind wishes and messages at this difficult time. My daughter and I take a great deal of comfort from this as we come to terms with life without our Rebekah."
Her Casualty colleague James Redmond, who played John 'Abs' Denham, said: "So sad to hear lovely Rebekah Gibbs has passed away. She lit up every room with her smile and positivity. R.I.P."
Her friend and former Coronation Street actress Hayley Tamaddon added: "Sad day. My dear friend passed away today. A true star, always smiling and so positive. Never to be forgotten. So many memories. We will never forget you Becky. Keep twinkling. Wherever you are."
