Loose Women star Nadia Sawalha has said she is 'deeply shocked and distraught' following the death of her close friend Hannah Gardner at the age of 39. Hannah was diagnosed with primary breast cancer in 2013 after discovering a lump in her left breast. She underwent treatment, but the disease returned in 2017 and again in 2020, and in 2022 she was told she had stage four incurable breast cancer, which later spread to her liver.
Informing her followers on Instagram, Nadia shared an image of Hannah sitting on a swing wearing a sparkly dress, captioning it: 'Our beautiful Hannah … Although we knew it was coming we are all so deeply shocked and distraught. No need to be brave anymore darling you can now, rest in peace, and all the love you created. You were and will forever be deeply loved.' She also thanked the staff at The Princess Alice Hospice in Esher for their care.
Hannah had previously spoken about her cancer battle, saying last year: 'I've been hit with probably the worst news I've had yet. Progression. All tumours in my liver are growing. There are now four big ones with lots of little spots popping up. I'm scared, I can't lie.' She also campaigned for access to a pioneering cancer drug that was blocked for NHS use in England by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, who deemed the cost too high.
Nadia's husband Mark Adderley commented: 'Just so so heartbreaking - a beautiful woman - a beautiful friend - a beautiful mother - just can't believe it.' Denise Welch added: 'I'm so sorry Nadia. She was an incredible woman and mum and you were a wonderful friend to her.' Other celebrities including Christine Lampard and Laura Dowling also offered their condolences.
Nadia previously described Hannah as a 'powerhouse' and said the group of friends, who met on a breast cancer charity trek seven years ago, called themselves the 'Fab Four'. Appearing on Loose Women last year, Hannah explained that the drug could increase her life expectancy by six months, saying: 'It's not a fairy tale, it only ends one way. All we can have is extra time and this drug would have given me that, more time with my daughter.'
