Anna Carey, 31, was first diagnosed with the disease in 1994, but was given the all-clear after an operation to remove a tumour from her chest and a gruelling nine-month course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

But the illness returned last year and the former nurse died on Tuesday evening, six days before her 32nd birthday.

Bob Wilson: Heartfelt thanks to medical staff

Mr Wilson, the 57-year-old former Arsenal goalkeeper, his wife Megs and Anna's husband of six years, studio manager Mitchell Carey, were too upset to comment.

But in a statement issued via ITV, they said that they and Anna's two brothers, John, 33, and Robert, 30, extended their heartfelt appreciation to doctors and staff who had treated her at the Royal Brompton, Harefield and Middlesex hospitals.

The statement said that their "incredible care and devotion gave Anna five extra years with her family".