It was incredibly tough revisiting memories of my sister, Caroline. I got quite emotional remembering our last special moment together before she sadly passed away at just 50. It’s a loss that still feels very raw, and sharing that final connection was definitely a tearjerker.
Caroline sadly passed away in August 2012 after a short, seven-week fight with lung cancer, following her terminal diagnosis.
On the newest episode of Davina McCall’s podcast, Begin Again, she discussed supporting her sister through illness. She spoke with Ben Cohen, a motivational speaker who lost his wife, Hannah, to cancer three years prior.
She shared that she only ever saw the woman undressed during the last couple of days of her life, and that she was allowed to bathe her completely. She described her skin as incredibly smooth and soft, almost like it had been moisturized, and felt this was a precious gift.
‘It was the saddest, but most beautiful thing.’
Davina struggled to hold back her tears as Ben shared a comforting thought: he believed that keeping the memory of their loved one alive was difficult, but if that person could see them together now, they’d be incredibly proud of what Davina had accomplished.
Caroline was Davina’s older half-sister from their mother Florence’s first marriage.
Oh, Florence… it just breaks my heart knowing she battled such a terrible addiction her whole life. And the sisters… it’s so tragic how they were separated. Caroline had this amazing life in Paris with Mom, while sweet Davina was over in England, being raised by Grandpa and Grandma on Dad’s side. It just feels… incomplete, you know? Like they deserved to all be together.
Florence died in 2008, and sadly, both of her daughters had stopped speaking to her before she passed away.
Davina deeply loved her sister and had previously discussed Caroline’s difficult diagnosis during an interview on Steven Bartlett’s ‘Diary Of A CEO’ podcast.
After falling ill, Caroline was found unable to move by the presenter, who rushed her to the hospital. There, she received the heartbreaking news that she had only a few months left. Davina then lovingly cared for Caroline at home until her death.
I really miss her and wish she could see how well things are going now. It’s hard to believe she’s gone, especially at such a young age. She was a wonderful person with so much life left to live, and her loss has been devastating for me.
Even in passing, she taught me invaluable lessons. She always looked out for me and faced her illness with incredible courage, never once letting tears or complaints escape her lips.
She shared that in her final moments, her mother allowed her to help her get ready for bed – something she’d never done before, as she always valued her privacy. Even while dying, her mother offered a new level of intimacy and trust, which was deeply touching.
She was very upset that night, calling me ‘Mommy,’ and then she fell into a deep sleep that lasted three days. I stayed with her until she passed away, and it was a peaceful experience. I kept talking to her the entire time, because I know hearing is the last sense to go.
I just kept reassuring her that I would be okay. She was still concerned, even after everything, because she knew how much I relied on her support. That’s why I kept repeating that I was going to be fine.
After running several tests, the doctor delivered some difficult news: I have cancer in both lungs, along with two brain tumors, and there’s a possibility of bone cancer as well. The doctor then looked at me and, referencing my history of smoking, took responsibility, saying it was her fault for not stopping me sooner.
Davina said they had much more open conversations during the last weeks of her life.
She refused to be estranged from her sister. They shared incredibly meaningful conversations during her sister’s final weeks, making those last seven weeks together the most cherished time they had.
She spent a month in the hospital, and after she came home, we relaxed at the cottage. Sadly, her first chemotherapy appointment was scheduled for just two days after she passed away. Before that, we focused on making the most of her time, including a final trip to France and visits with friends – we essentially created a bucket list to fulfill her wishes.
2026-07-24 14:07