Brave Caroline Aherne ‘kept smiling until the end’ despite knowing cancer was terminal
Cherished comedian even consoled pals who were upset when she told them she had just weeks to live
BRAVE Caroline Aherne kept the smiles coming even in the final days of her lung cancer battle.
The comedian - who died on Saturday aged 52 - remained upbeat despite knowing her illness was terminal.
When Caroline discovered two months ago that doctors could not cure her, she contacted close pals to tell them.
But while many of them broke down, the Mrs Merton star remained stoic and tried to console them instead.
A pal who spoke with Caroline said: “She was amazingly resilient and didn’t even cry as she told us she only had a matter of weeks to live.
“She knew what was coming. But while others closest to her were in pieces, Caroline smiled and was so strong.”
Caroline died alone on Saturday at her home in Timperley, Gtr Manchester.
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The Sun can also reveal rock star Peter Hook was "in bits" as he took to the stage just hours after his ex-wife Caroline Aherne's tragic cancer death.
The former Joy Division and New Order bass player was "almost silent backstage but still did his stuff", one fellow musician revealed.
Hooky, 60, was married to comedy genius for three years and despite an acrimonious split was still "emotionally devastated" by the events of Saturday which "pained him badly."
Hooky still fulfilled his commitment to 8,000 fans and played bass guitar and sang on the New Order classic Blue Monday at the sell-out Hacienda Classics orchestra gig at the Castlefield Bowl in Manchester on Saturday night.
But one musician on the bill revealed:"Peter is usually buoyant and full of life, and had been really geared up for this concert.
"When the bombshell news came through about Caroline, who was such a massive part of Manchester and Peter's life, we wondered how he would react and cope.
"But he went out there and played Blue Monday on the edge of the stage in front of a 40-strong orchestra. He showed great strength.
"He even sang the vocals, but left the stage afterwards and was very quiet.
"He fulfilled what he wanted to do, but it was like he was struggling. A few of us said how sorry we felt about the loss of Caroline."
Caroline's devastated brother Patrick has also paid tribute to his sister, saying: "My heart is broken as I loved her so much. But she is now in a better place and most of all she has no pain.
"I have lost a beautiful sister and the world has lost an amazing talent. I know Caroline would want everybody to be happy and not sad and I think we should now remember the comedy legacy that she has left for us. RIP Caroline."
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