The VoiceAustralia star Virginia Lillyehas diedaged 56 two years after being diagnosed with ovariancancer.
In 2020 the singer competed on the ninth season of the reality singing show, in which she made it into the Top 20 as part of coachBoy George’s team.
Throughout her career, she also performed with Gene Simmons from KISS, Richie Kotzen from Poison and Gilby Clarke from Guns ‘N’ Roses.
However, this week her friend and fellow musician Don Spencer announced her death.
‘I am terribly saddened to hear that the beautiful Virginia Lillye has lost her battle with cancer,’ the Play School presenter shared in a post onInstagram.
‘Virginia was not only an amazing talent but one of the loveliest people you could meet. She performed many times to help raise funds for the ACMF (Australian Children’s Music Foundation)…she was an absolute showstopper.
‘My deepest sympathy to Julian and her family. R.I.P Virginia x.’
Paying tribute too, her band shared the following statement: ‘Virginia Lillye was hands down the quintessential rock goddess. There will never be another frontwoman like her…we love you dearly and you will never be forgotten. Riposa in peace our sweet Vinny.’
Soon after she was diagnosed with cancer in 2023, Lillye spoke about being given the shocking news.
‘It’s a silent cancer that doesn’t make its appearance known until it’s stage three,’ she told the Daily MailAustralia.
‘Ovarian cancer doesn’t get as much attention as other cancers. It’s a sneaky cancer with the symptoms coming on late in the diagnosis.
‘It usually gets to stage three before you know what’s happening. There needs to be more awareness amongst society, and more funds need to be raised to help instigate finding ways to discovering earlier diagnosis.’
It was while on holiday with her husband Julian that she’d begun experience severe stomach pains, bloating and issues with going to the toilet.
Rushing to hospital after they landed back home in Sydney, she was given the diagnosis three days later.
In the months after she underwent several surgeries and suffered a series of complications, including multiple infections, sepsis and staph.
‘Apparently I’ve broken all records for the longest stay in hospital for the surgery that I initially went in for,’ she said.
‘My appendix has been removed, my gall bladder taken, my liver is reduced in size, my bowel has been chopped, my spleen eliminated and chunks of diaphragm are now gone along with my fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus and cervix.’
She went on to encourage others to be aware of the symptoms and get regular doctor check-ups.
‘As soon as you see or feel any changes in your body, be sure to see your doctor ASAP,’ she said.
‘That goes for men too! Stay on top of pap smears, prostate checks, mammograms, skin checks, send that pop sample off if you’re 50 and over!
‘In order to live a long and happy life,healthshould be your top priority.’
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use theirwebchat service, orvisit their sitefor more information.
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