All Saints singer Natalie Appleton leads tributes to Sun fitness guru Nicki Waterman who died from a brain tumour after brave battle with cancer
Nicki inspired thousands of women to take up exercise and was an 'inspiration' right until the end
SUN fitness expert Nicki Waterman inspired thousands of readers to get out and exercise — and even a ferocious brain tumour could not stop her doing the same.
The 53-year-old, who died on Thursday, continued to walk on her beloved local heath despite being so frail she had to hold on to tree branches to keep upright.
Last night one of her many celebrity clients, singer Natalie Appleton of All Saints, wrote in tribute to her close friend: “There aren’t enough words to express how much we will miss you.
“You were my rock, my inspiration, shoulder to cry on and always there when I needed you, you never failed to make us laugh.”
The doting grandmother of two was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive brain tumour the size of a golf ball in May last year. At the time her husband of 22 years, Dennis, was suffering pancreatic cancer which he succumbed to five months later, aged 69.
Nicki said later: “He was the love of my life. I said to him I would try to find a cure.”
And even after she knew it was too late to fight for her own life, she fought on for others.
She was one of 2,200 people who are diagnosed with glioblastoma in the UK every year, just 20 per cent of whom are alive a year later.
She trialled groundbreaking immune therapy treatment to help others, suffering horrendous side effects, and lobbied the Government to invest more into brain tumour research.
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She also campaigned to get the treatment she underwent widely available on the NHS.
Doctors said she would be lucky to live until February, but in March she revealed the tumour had shrunk — only to return months later.
Nicki’s consultant, oncologist Dr Paul Mulholland, said yesterday: “It is incredible what she has done to raise the profile of brain tumours.
“It will benefit many others in years to come.”
Her involvement in the research showed the same determination to use her troubles to help others that had launched her as a health guru.
She had piled on weight and was miserable until after the births of daughter Alex, 31, and Harry, 29, she lost 5st and transformed her life.
She ditched her career as a dental nurse and become a personal trainer instead.
Nicki once explained: “Unless you’ve hit rock bottom, no one understands how you feel. I understand — and that’s why I knew I could change people’s lives.”
And for two decades that is what she did. Sun nutritionist Amanda Ursell, a close friend since the pair began working together in 2001, said: “She knew just how much to push people and helped them to realise their dreams and goals. She was an incredible inspiration.”
That relentless spirit held firm even when husband Dennis, realising how ill they both were last year, suggested they fly to Switzerland and choose assisted suicide at the Dignitas clinic. She refused.
She said later: “He thought it was romantic that we would hold hands and die together. But I knew I had too much to live for.”
So even when she failed to respond to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, she agreed to try a new treatment where the immune system is stimulated to fight the cancer.
The drugs pummelled her body but shrank the tumour. Although it came back, the treatment gave her a few more months with loved ones and out on Hampstead Heath near her North London home.
Meanwhile, on top of everything else, Nicki also had to cope with the terminal illness of her younger brother Colin Lehmann.
He died in her arms in February from pancreatic cancer, the same disease that had taken her husband.
Despite all this, Nicki always had time for her friends. Last night many of them paid tribute, below.
Mel C, another pal, told us: “It has been heartbreaking to see Nicki fight such a brave battle. She never stopped smiling and was an absolute inspiration.”
When she went to a hospice last month her closest friends, including All Saints singers Nicole and Natalie Appleton, would visit most days.
Last night Nicole wrote: “Nicki, you truly changed my life. You have been the most amazing friend and pillar of strength. I still can’t believe I’m writing this . . . can’t you meet me for a run in the morning?”
Nicki is survived by kids Harry and Alex plus Alex’s two children. Last night Alex described her as “a wonderful mum, doting nana and a loyal and caring friend”.
She added: “We have been so touched by the outpouring of love, support and sadness.
“To know her was to love her and we are determined to celebrate her accomplishments and wonderful approach to life.
“To this end we are setting up the Nicki Waterman Foundation for charities close to her heart.
“The world will miss her infectious smile and twinkling eyes. Sleep well, beautiful mummy.
“You will continue to watch over us and to be our inspiration. The sky is now shining brighter than ever with the most special star. Love you always and forever.”