A beloved BBC star and the first-ever winner of ‘Bob Says Opportunity Knocks’, Kerry Wilson, has tragically passed away at 56 after a sudden flu battle.

Kerry Wilson, who graced our screens on ‘The Jonathan Ross Big Talent Show’ and other programmes such as ‘Talking Telephone Numbers’, ‘Who Do You Do?’, and ‘Summertime Special’, died on January 3 following complications from the flu that led to an induced coma from which she never awoke.

The Trentham talent, who also showcased her acting chops as Cheryl Colclough in BBC Radio Stoke’s inaugural soap opera, was mourned by her mother Linda, who described her daughter as her “best friend” and recounted the shock of losing Kerry to what seemed like a common flu.

Linda, who had Kerry when she was just 16, told StokeonTrentLive: “It was very sudden. She’s never been in the hospital in her life; no major health issues or anything like that.”

She continued, detailing the heartbreaking turn of events: “But then this new flu came along. It’s been devastating. You just don’t expect it everyone gets flued up every winter”, reports the Mirror.

Recalling their last conversations, 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.”

The situation deteriorated rapidly as Kerry’s oxygen levels were found to be low, leading to an urgent GP appointment and her subsequent hospitalisation and induced coma within just 12 hours.

Kerry, a mother diagnosed with influenza A, seemed to be on the mend when tragedy struck as she developed sepsis, a perilous immune response described by the NHS that can damage organs. Her sudden passing left her family reeling.

Her mother, Linda, in profound sorrow, recalled: “A little while later she was gone. It was really rapid and totally unexpected.”

At Kerry’s side during her final moments, Linda faced the unimaginable grief of losing another child. Yet amid the heartache, she endeavours to honour Kerry’s vibrant life and infectious spirit.

Describing her daughter as a “local celebrity”, Linda fondly remembered Kerry as “a comedian, an impressionist, a singer, and an all-round entertainer”, noting how her “beautiful person inside and out” always uplifted those around her. Driven by the loss, Linda yearns for her precious Kerry’s story to persuade others to take flu vaccinations seriously.

Her first taste of fame came young, at 19, Kerry graced television screens nationwide on ‘Bob Says Opportunity Knocks’, not just appearing but securing victory on the show.

Linda’s cherished memories are etched with pride for Kerry, who far too soon, left a world dazzled by her talents.