BBC star dies suddenly from flu complications aged 56 after being put on ventilator

A BBC star who graced the Jonathan Ross show has tragically passed away from flu at just 56 years old. Kerry Wilson, a beloved entertainer, died on January 3 following complications after being placed in an induced coma, from which she sadly did not recover.

She first captured the nation's heart as the inaugural winner of 'Bob Says Opportunity Knocks' in 1987 and later showcased her talents on 'The Jonathan Ross Big Talent Show' and 'Talking Telephone Numbers'. Kerry also made memorable appearances on 'Who Do You Do? ' and 'Summertime Special'.

Hailing from Trentham, she ventured into acting, portraying Cheryl Colclough in BBC Radio Stoke's debut soap opera. Her heartbroken mother, who had Kerry when she was just 16, described her daughter as her "best friend" and expressed shock at the suddenness of her passing, saying, "It was very sudden. She's never been in the hospital in her life; no major health issues or anything like that."

Linda told StokeonTrentLive: "But then this new flu came along. It's been devastating. You just don't expect it – everyone gets flued up every winter."

Recounting the days leading up to Kerry's hospitalisation, Linda said, "She told me she felt a bit sniffly. As mothers do, I said to her, 'Why don't you ring 111? ' By the weekend, she didn't feel any better so she gave them a call."

After seeking medical advice due to low oxygen levels, Kerry was given a GP appointment "straight away", and within 12 hours, she was placed into a coma and on a ventilator.

Kerry, diagnosed with influenza A, seemed to be on the mend before her sudden and heartbreaking death from sepsis, a condition detailed by the NHS as a potentially fatal immune response causing damage to the body's own tissues. .

Linda recounted: "A little while later she was gone. It was really rapid and totally unexpected."

Beside Kerry as she passed were her family members, enduring this loss after Linda had previously borne the agony of losing another child. She said, "never thought it would happen again".

In her sorrow, Linda seeks to honour Kerry's vibrant spirit and myriad talents. Describing Kerry as a "local celebrity", she celebrated her daughter's gifts, saying she was "a comedian, an impressionist, a singer, and an all-round entertainer".

According to Linda, Kerry was a "beautiful person inside and out" who never failed to bring joy to those around her, reports the Mirror.

Resolute in her conviction that her daughter's story might inspire others to vaccinate against the flu, Linda shared her regret. "Kerry didn't have the vaccine this year. I pushed her, but she didn't go out a lot and the last time she had it made her feel unwell, so she decided not to bother. Her friends all went along to the chemist yesterday to get one," Linda divulged.

Kerry's rise to fame began at 19 with her debut on "Bob Says Opportunity Knocks", ultimately securing victory on the show under the iconic presenter Bob Monkhouse.

The NHS advises that while flu often improves without treatment, it can cause severe illness in some individuals. Therefore, it's crucial to get the flu jab if recommended.

The vaccine is provided by the NHS annually during autumn or early winter to safeguard those at risk of flu and its complications.