Kirstie Allsopp's 66-year-old mum has died from breast cancer. Mother-of-four Lady Fiona Hindlip passed away at her home on Monday following a 26-year battle with the disease.
Her death came just months after her daughter, Sofie – who, like Kirstie, is a TV presenter – revealed that she had had a double mastectomy to protect her from the disease.
Sofie, 33, had the operation in November 2010, followed by reconstructive surgery, to reduce her cancer risk by 90 per cent.
Sofie said in an interview: "I have spent my life watching my mother struggle with breast cancer, worried that I might lose her.
"So, for me, it was a very simple, logical decision to remove a part of my body which could potentially kill me."
Lady Hindlip was first diagnosed with cancer in 1987 and had a double mastectomy as well as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
She was in remission for seven years, undergoing further treatment when the breast cancer returned, but nine years later she was diagnosed with secondary cancer.
Her daughters were told by a geneticist that their chances of developing cancer could be as high as one in three.
However, at the time Sofie spoke out about her operation, Kirstie, 42, said she had decided to opt for a wait-and-see approach and had instead decided to go for regular breast scans and adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Kirstie said: "Mum was always very discreet, stoic and amazingly brave, but we were aware of the impact it had on her, and it was hard for us to see her suffer."
Sofie added: "Our mother is an incredibly brave woman who never let the cancer encroach on our lives.
"She talked about it openly, but always tried to minimise the impact on us by being optimistic, very positive and pro-active about her treatment.
"She dealt with it with dignity and grace, trying to make the least of it."
Lady Hindlipp, married former Christie's chairman Lord Charles Hindlip, 73, in 1968.
As well as Kirstie and Sofie, the couple had two other children, art dealer Henry, 40, and Natasha, 27. Her funeral has already taken place.