Emily Atack 'struggling for words' as co-star Maddy Anholt dies aged 35 after brain cancer diagnosis

Emily Atack has paid tribute to her co-star Maddy Anholt who died on Wednesday aged 35 after being diagnosed with brain cancer.

Anholt was an actress, author and comedian who was given her diagnosis just after giving birth to her daughter last year. She starred in The Emily Atack Show alongside the Inbetweeners alum, as well as Kelly, Jerk and Sunny D. She was also a regular guest on ITV’s This Morning and outside television she worked as an ambassador for Women’s Aid and wrote two books about domestic violence and toxic relationships.

Atack took to X - the app formerly known as Twitter - share a tribute to her friend and co-star who she called ‘sweet’, ‘funny’ and ‘talented’.

@emilyatack/Instagram

"Maddy was one of the sweetest, FUNNIEST and most hard working women I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing and working with,” Atack said. “Just utterly beautiful and so talented. She made me laugh so much. Sending every ounce of my love and support to her family. A devastatingly tragic loss."

Anholt’s heartbroken family shared the news on a GoFundMe page, explaining that Maddy had passed away after being diagnosed with a ‘rare and aggressive form of brain cancer’.

the fundraiser set up to raise money for the youngster.

In a statement on the page, the Anholt family said: “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the death of Maddy Anholt, our beloved daughter, sister, twin, friend, wife and mother, who left this world on Wednesday 13th September, aged 35.

“You may know that shortly after the birth of her incredible daughter Opal last year, Maddy was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. She handled the ensuing surgery and treatment with astonishing grace and courage, accompanied every step of the way by her family and devoted husband, Ben.

"She spent her final weeks at her parents’ home, Sunflower House, bathed in love and calm, and with the sounds of nature all around.

Instagram/@maddyanholt

“In her short life, Maddy accomplished so much. She was a marathon runner, author, speaker, actor and Ambassador for Women’s Aid. Her debut book was published in 2022 and her first fiction will be published soon. As an actor, she appeared in sitcoms for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, while as a speaker she led numerous masterclasses, including for the Guardian.

“We are overwhelmed with gratitude to the many friends who have upheld us with their love and prayers during this difficult time, as well as the countless nurses, doctors and the NHS as a whole, who treated her with unfailing dignity and compassion. In particular, we would like to thank the magnificent team at Seaton Hospice at Home, who are the embodiment of empathy, professionalism and love.”

You can donate to the fundraiser here.

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week