Rebekah Gibbs, the actress best known for playing paramedic Nina Farr in the BBC drama Casualty, has died of cancer at the age of 41. She passed away in 2014, just weeks after giving birth to her daughter Gigi.
Career and family
Gibbs played Nina Farr for three years in the Saturday night drama, leaving in 2006 to start a family. She also appeared on stage in Starlight Express, A Chorus Line, and Grease, and on TV in The Bill.
She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, just ten weeks after the birth of her daughter. She had noticed a lump while pregnant.
Cancer battle
In a column for the Mirror, Gibbs wrote: "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."
After giving birth, she was told she had an aggressive form of breast cancer. Two years later, she celebrated being cancer-free, saying: "I won't get cocky though and I take each day as it comes. I am always a little unsure about the future."
Final months
In 2013, she reached her five-year cancer-free anniversary. But the following year, while on holiday in Devon with her husband Ashley Pitman and daughter, she suffered a massive seizure.
She was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with two brain tumours, one in her neck, and a lesion on her lung. She was transferred to the Hospice in the Weald in Kent, where she died with her family at her side.
Tributes
Her husband said: "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. 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 co-star 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."
Friend and former Coronation Street star 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."
