BBC presenter Rachael Bland dies aged 40

She had documented her battle with breast cancer

Rachael Bland has died at the age of 40, nearly two years after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She worked on Radio 5 Live as a newsreader and presenter and had co-hosted You, Me and the Big C, a podcast about cancer. She had also blogged in detail about treatment on "Big C. Little Me. Putting The Can In Cancer." Rachael's husband, Steve said in a statement: "She was an incredibly talented broadcaster as well as a wonderful and much loved daughter, sister, aunt, niece, wife and, most importantly to her, a mother to her precious little Freddie." "We all take such huge comfort and pride from the amazing and tireless work she has done since her diagnosis to reduce the stigma around cancer and prove that it is possible to live life to the fullest even when facing huge challenges on a daily basis. At the end, even though her body was at its weakest, her voice was at its strongest and most powerful. He described her as "perfect in every way" and added "we will miss her more than words can say". https://www.instagram.com/p/BgmKABQHsz2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=embed_loading_state_control On Monday Bland had said she had just days to live, she tweeted: "In the words of the legendary Frank S - I’m afraid the time has come my friends. And suddenly. I’m told I’ve only got days. It’s very surreal. "Thank you so much for all the support I’ve received. Debs and lozz will continue with the #youmebigc podcast. Au revoir my friends."