The daughter of veteran Channel Seven newsreader Rob Brough has died following a battle with aggressive cancer.
Brough, a prominent figure in Australian broadcasting since the 1970s, stepped away from his on-air role in regional Queensland in 2024 to spend more time with his daughter, Jess Willmott, after she was diagnosed with brain cancer.
Her death came just one month after she had been given the all-clear following treatment for breast cancer.
Jess, a mother of three, died on February 5. A private funeral will be held on Friday.
Her husband, Tammen, confirmed the news on a GoFundMe page set up to support the family while he took leave from work to care for her.
“Jess was deeply loved – as a wife, a mother, a friend, and an extraordinary human,” he said.
“The space she leaves behind is immeasurable, and our family is navigating a loss that words cannot fully capture.”
He described her as strong and courageous, and thanked those who has supported the family throughout her illness.
“We want to thank every single person who has supported us, prayed for us, donated, and stood beside us throughout this journey. Your kindness has carried us more than you could ever know.”
Brough, 71, had anchored Channel Seven’s Queensland nightly bulletins across the Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay and Mackay before stepping away from the role in late 2024.
Speaking to the ABC last year, he explained his decision to leave work.
“We got to a tough stage where things weren’t working and not a lot of options were available.
“It was just an easy choice for me to leave work and spend as much time as I could around her and her family.”
In the same interview, Brough said his days were focused on supporting Jess and helping care for her three young children on the Sunshine Coast.
“Family is everything and we live together. That’s a beautiful thing because bringing up your children and then being a part of your grandchildren’s upbringing is as good as it gets,” he said.
Images: GoFundMe / 7NEWS
