Radio 2’s vicar Ruth dies at 60 after battle with cancer
RAdIO 2 presenter the Rev Ruth Scott has lost her two-year battle with cancer at the age of 60.
The broadcaster, who hosted the Pause For Thought faith slot on the breakfast show, recently revealed she had weeks to live after being diagnosed with lymphoma in 2017.
She died in hospital in Southampton on Wednesday evening with Chris, her husband of 37 years, and daughter Freya, 30, by her side. She is also survived by her son, Tian, 23. The Rev Scott was popular with millions of listeners.
In her final broadcast ten days ago, she left listeners in tears when she said goodbye from her hospital bed. She told her close friend Chris evans on his Virgin radio show: ‘I’ve got two or three weeks to live at most so we’re in the middle of saying goodbyes with the family and thinking about how it is to be separating from one another.’
She added: ‘death feels very weird at one level but it feels very natural at another level.
‘I’ve got to accept the fact that I’m dying. I’m not frightened. I’ve had a fantastic life – I just wish it had been longer.’ Her family said in a statement yesterday: ‘ Ruth died peacefully in Southampton General Hospital.’
Fans paid tribute to the Rev Scott on social media, with many praising her bravery and calling her ‘wonderfully inspiring’.
Radio 2 dJ Sara Cox said: ‘This is so sad. Rest in peace Ruth. She had a light in her eyes and such strength yet was so gentle. Sending my love to her husband, kids and the whole family.’
Lewis Carnie, head of Radio 2, 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 over the years. Our thoughts are with Ruth’s family at this sad time.’
The essex-born vicar was one of the first female priests in the Church of england. She met her husband Chris, also a vicar, while working as a nurse and they wed in 1982. She said she thought she would end up in a wicker coffin or have her ashes scattered in Brodick Bay, Scotland.
‘She had a light in her eyes and such strength’