Radio 2 priest Ruth loses cancer battle

PAUSE For Thought’s the Rev Ruth Scott, a familiar voice on Radio 2 since the days of Sir Terry Wogan, has died aged 60 after suffering from cancer.

The station said the broadcaster, who trained as a nurse and later a midwife, died peacefully in Southampton General Hospital on Wednesday evening with her husband and daughter present.

Mrs Scott, inset right, recently told Chris Evans in a broadcast from her hospital bed that she had just weeks to live.

The broadcaster was one of the first female priests in the Church of England.

Station head Lewis Carnie said: “The Rev Ruth Scott was much loved amongst the Radio 2 family.

“Working with both Sir Terry Wogan and Chris Evans, her Pause For Thought reflections were enjoyed by millions of listeners to the Radio 2 Breakfast Show over the years.

“Our thoughts are with Ruth’s family at this sad time.”

The Rev Kate Bottley paid tribute on Pause for Thought on Zoe Ball’s breakfast show, saying: “Christians – and vicars in particular – can often be accused of not living in the real world. “That couldn’t be said of Ruth Scott. She not only lived in the real world – she wanted to change it.”

“Her congregations were lucky – Ruth wasn’t your typical vicar – few can claim to have also trained as a magician and fire eater.” Mrs Scott had been having cancer treatment for two years.