AA Gill: Sunday Times restaurant critic dies weeks after revealing cancer diagnosis

Robin de Peyer11 December 2016

Award-winning food writer AA Gill has died after revealing he was ravaged by cancer.

The critic, 62, wrote in the Sunday Times in November: “I’ve got an embarrassment of cancer, the full English.

"There is barely a morsel of offal not included. I have a trucker's gut-buster, gimpy, malevolent, meaty malignancy."

He died on Saturday morning, and friends and colleagues were informed of his death by editor Martin Ivens, who described the celebrated critic - known to some by his first name Adrian - as "a giant among journalists".

In his memo to staff, Mr Ivens said: "It is with profound sadness that I must tell you that our much-loved colleague Adrian Gill died this morning.

"Adrian was stoical about his illness, but the suddenness of his death has shocked us all.

Cancer battle: AA Gill died just weeks after revealing his diagnosis

"Characteristically he has had the last word, writing an outstanding article about coming to terms with his cancer in tomorrow's Sunday Times Magazine.

"He was the heart and soul of the paper. His wit was incomparable, his writing was dazzling and fearless, his intelligence was matched by compassion.

"Adrian was a giant among journalists. He was also our friend. We will miss him.

"I know you will want to join me in sending condolences to Nicola Formby and his children."

Sunday Times political editor Tim Shipman, tweeted: "AA Gill, the writer who first made me buy the Sunday Times, the best of us for thirty years has died. Very sombre mood in the office.

“If you loved AA Gill’s writing, he has one final, blisteringly brilliant cover story in tomorrow’s ST magazine. Be dazzled one last time.”

Before his death, Gill revealed that his illness had led to him getting engaged to Nicola Formby, his partner of 22 years, with whom he had two children. His columns frequently referred to her as "The Blonde".

As a young man, he had suffered from alcoholism before giving up drinking when he was 30.

From 1990 to 1995, he was married to now-Home Secretary Amber Rudd.

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