Di Kershaw dies: The Gogglebox Australia star never told anyone she was dying of cancer

Gogglebox Australia star Di Kershaw has kept her cancer battle a secret from everyone but her close family after she was diagnosed with an operable tumor in her throat a few months ago.

She didn’t share the news of her deteriorating health outside of her inner circle, instead spending her final months enjoying “quality time” with her family, a close friend said Monday.

Her death at the age of 76 was announced by 3AW entertainment reporter Peter Ford on Monday and later confirmed by a Foxtel spokesman.

Di, a former model turned Indigenous art dealer, has been on the Channel 10 Foxtel show with her husband Mick since season one in 2015.

She is survived by Mick, her adult children Victoria and Alex, and young grandson Harvey.

Gogglebox Australia star Di Kershaw (right, with husband Mick) has kept her cancer battle a secret from everyone but her close family after she was diagnosed with an operable tumor in her throat a few months ago

A friend of the Kershaws told Daily Mail Australia: “She wasn’t feeling well a few months ago and [Mick] took her to her doctor.

“After many tests and specialists, they discovered an inoperable tumor in her throat.

“That’s when she decided not to tell anyone and just spend time with her family.”

Ford added at 3AW: “She has been sadly ill for a few months now so my condolences to Mick and all the family.

“She was a great talent. Producers struck gold when they found her.”

The Kershaws, from Sydney’s Northern Beaches, had been married for more than 50 years. They first met in a pub when Di was 17 and Mick was 20.

She didn’t share the news of her deteriorating health outside of her inner circle, instead spending her final months enjoying “quality time” with her family, a close friend said Monday. (Di is seen in the bottom row, second from right, with the cast of Gogglebox Australia)

“It wasn’t quite like a reality show,” she once said of her commercial.

“It wasn’t anything official like fancy dinners and cocktails in a bar. It was hanging out as a group, drinking rum and cokes — very low key.”

Mick proposed after being on and off for five years.

She is survived by husband Mick, their adult children Victoria and Alex, and grandson Harvey. (The Kershaws of Sydney’s Northern Beaches are pictured here in their younger years.)

Di and Mick first met in a Sydney pub when she was 17 and he was 20. (Recorded while on vacation abroad in her twenties)

Known for her dry sense of humor on Gogglebox, Di often came out with scathing knockdowns when responding to dating shows.

She famously didn’t think much of couch critic Angie Kent, who was embarking on a reality TV career.

“She was on Gogglebox, then she went to the jungle, then she became the Bachelorette, and now she’s a dancing star… Spare me.” She’s not a dancer, that’s for sure,” she once said.

Di and Mick are pictured on their wedding anniversary more than 50 years ago

Di (pictured in her 20s) began her professional life as a model, but it was her career as an Indigenous art dealer that she is best known for

Di began her working life as a model, but it was her career as an Indigenous art dealer that she is best known for.

She convinced her husband to give up his meteoric career as an advertising executive to pursue her passion for art.

They ran an art gallery and dealership for Aboriginal people for more than three decades.

Known for her dry sense of humor on Gogglebox, Di often came out with scathing knockdowns when responding to dating shows

A friend of the Kershaws said Di chose not to tell anyone about her deteriorating health

After a long career in the industry, Di was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2020 for her services to the visual arts.

Di and Mick have appeared in every season of Gogglebox but briefly disappeared during season 11 in 2020 when they chose to self-isolate at their Sydney home with no camera crew present.

The Kershaws’ son Alex wed in 2018. Their daughter Victoria is also married with a son named Harvey, whom Di adored.

Di convinced husband Mick to give up his high-flying advertising career to pursue their passion for art. They ran an Indigenous art gallery and dealership for more than three decades. (The Kershaws are pictured here in their younger years)

A spokesman for Foxtel, Channel 10 and production company Endemol Shine Australia said: “We are incredibly saddened by the death of Di Kershaw.

“For the past eight years, we’ve had the privilege of seeing her luminous character make us smile on Gogglebox with her smug wit, sizzling laugh and impeccable style.

“From everyone at Foxtel, Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia we send our condolences and love to husband Mick and the rest of the family. Thank you for sharing the warmth, humor and heart of your wife, mother and grandmother.

‘Di always signed correspondence with Pleasure Treasure, but the pleasure was all ours and we will cherish it forever.’

Mick and Di are seen here at the art gallery they ran for over 30 years

Source: | Dailymail.co.uk