Beloved comedian Cal Wilson’s cause of death revealed after her shock passing

The cause of death of stand-up comedian and TV personality Cal Wilson has been revealed, one day after news broke of her shock passing.

Stand-up comedian and TV personality Cal Wilson’s cause of death has been revealed, one day after news broke of her shock passing.

According to the Daily Telegraph, the beloved star died of a “rare and aggressive form of cancer” at the age of 53 this week.

The publication added that the Melbourne-based Wilson was filming The Great Australian Bake Off in Sydney when she had to be taken to hospital.

She had been treated for lower back pain in the lead-up to her hospital admission, according to the Daily Telegraph.

It’s understood Wilson had kept the details of her health battle private, with only a select few members of her inner circle being told in the lead-up to her tragic death.

Wilson, who is originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, passed away on October 11, surrounded by family and friends at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. It was reported she died after battling a “short illness”.

Her management company Token Artists announced the sad news, sharing a statement to news.com.au at the time of her passing.

“We are devastated to share the news that Cal Wilson, the much-loved stand-up comedian, writer and actor died today, surrounded by family and friends after a short illness at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney,” the statement read.

Stand-up comedian and TV personality Cal Wilson reportedly died from cancer. Picture: Jay Town

“Cal’s generosity, talent and friendship have been constants in the Australian comedy scene for the last twenty years. Cal was loved by her family, friends, fans and peers and a huge hole has been torn in the heart of our community.”

The late star was originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, but moved to Melbourne in 2003 to star in the sketch show, Skithouse.

Wilson appeared on many programs, including the SBS program Who The Bloody Hell Are We? Picture: SBS

She went on to become one of Australia’s best-known comedians, appearing on numerous TV shows across her decades-long career, including Have You Been Paying Attention?, Rove Live, Good News Week, Spicks and Specks, The Project, Hughesy, We Have A Problem and reality shows such as Dancing With The Stars and I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here.

Wilson also worked as a radio host, appearing alongside Akmal Saleh and Ed Kavalee on Nova’s Drive program The Wrong Way Home before landing the breakfast gig on Nova 100 with Dylan Lewis.

Her last appearance was as a co-host of The Great Australian Bake Off alongside Natalie Tran, which was in production before she was first admitted to hospital.

A well-known fixture on the comedy circuit, Wilson won the Melbourne Comedy Festival’s Best Newcomer Award in 2001 before going on to appear at the event 14 times throughout her career.

She is survived by her husband, Chris Woods, and son, Digby, 14.

She most recently co-hosted Great Australian Bake Off with Natalie Tran. Picture: Foxtel

Just months before her death, Wilson had talked fondly about her teenage son in what would be one of her last interviews ever.

Appearing on Adam Miller’s Bakeology podcast, she was asked about the legacy she might leave behind for Digby.

“What do you think Digby will remember you for?” the host asked.

“I think it will be for pancakes because that’s a fairly regular weekend thing,” she replied.

“And when you serve the pancakes you throw them like a frisbee, the first couple, and then if you’re going to have maple syrup on them obviously you don’t do that.

“You always do the test pancake – hurl it across the kitchen.”

She also said Digby will likely remember her for their gingerbread baking sessions.

“We make a lot of gingerbread together. Well, we start making it together and he goes off with the lump of dough as any good child should,” she joked.

Leading Aussie entertainers took to social media to express their disbelief and pay tribute to Wilson on Wednesday, with Rebel Wilson describing the news as “so tragic”.

“This is so tragic and my heart goes out to Cal’s family,” she said.

“I was very very lucky to work with Cal on multiple projects especially over the last few years where she wrote brilliant material for me. She was amazingly talented and amazingly kind.”

Shaynna Blaze wrote that it was “heartbreaking”.

“I can’t even comprehend this right now. The most divine, radiant person who I have watched, admired and worked alongside,” she wrote on social media.

Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott paid tribute to the “beautiful person who always had time for everyone”, adding that it was “always a pleasure any time I got to work next to you.”

“Completely heartbreaking news. Cal was the most kind and beautiful soul. Sending all our love to her family,” fellow comedian Nazeem Hussain said.

Meanwhile, TV host Grant Denyer wrote that he was left “shaking” by the announcement of her passing.

“I can’t believe what I’m reading. How unbelievably sad. The most tender, kind, generous and talented performer I’ve ever had the pleasure to work alongside,” he wrote.