Girl whose cancer fight inspired Kay return dies at 23
Mum and dad pay tribute to ‘force of nature’ Laura
A TERMINALLY ill woman who inspired comedian Peter Kay to make a comeback has died aged 23.
Laura Nuttall was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer in 2018 following a routine eye test.
After medics found eight tumours, they gave her just 12 months to live.
Laura then created a “bucket list” and ticked off her ambitions, including meeting Michelle Obama, piloting a Royal Navy patrol boat and presenting the weather report on BBC TV.
Peter played his first gigs in four years in 2021 to raise money for her treatment and has since stayed in close touch with the family. The live shows in Manchester, which sold out in minutes, marked a rare public appearance for one of the nation’s best-loved comedians.
In 2017, the Phoenix Nights star cancelled his tour and future projects due to “unforeseen family circumstances”.
In 2021, Laura said that she did not want people just to focus on her cancer, “because what is the point in that?”
She added: “What sort of legacy will I leave if I just focus on myself and not others?
The day I was diagnosed with brain cancer, I thought ‘I’ve got two options. I could say ‘all right, that’s fine, I’m going to sit here and die’ or ‘am I going to do something about it and stay positive?’ and that is what I chose to do.” Despite enduring a series of operations, Laura, from Barrowford, Lancs, graduated from the University of Manchester last year with a degree in politics, philosophy and economics. Her mum Nicola announced Laura’s death yesterday and described her as a “force of nature”.
She added: “We are devastated at the thought of life without our girl.”
Her dad Mark, who works in film and TV, said: “Her flame burned so brightly, unfortunately not nearly for long enough. She leaves a chasm and we now have to find some way of filling that void.”
Professor Jackie Carter, from Manchester University, said: “She was an incredible and spirited young woman.
“She defied all the odds to complete her studies and graduate last summer.”