A granddaughter has paid tribute to her late grandmother, who passed away after appearing on a national game show.

Cath Walker who was 68 and of Tonge Moor, appeared on Wednesday afternoon's episode of ITV's Tipping Point, but died before the show was aired.

Her death was announced by presenter Ben Shephard.

He said: “Today’s Tipping Point is a poignant one. Since recording the show, lovely contestant Cath, has passed away. Our thoughts and love are with her family and friends.”

Tipping Point contestant from Bolton dies before show airs

Cath, who was a retired school bus driver, died of lung cancer in November last year.

Her granddaughter, Kadie Bailey, 29, also of Tonge Moor, spoke to The Bolton News about how the family have coped with the loss of Cath.

Kadie said: “I think we’ve coped okay. It was hard at first obviously, but it’s been seven months now.

“Her brother, Laurence, has learning difficulties and has moved into a new property following her death.”

She added: “She didn’t get to see him move in but she did manage to see the property, which would have really helped her.”

Kadie also highlighted how great the Tipping Point experience was for Cath.

She said: “It was on her bucket list to do, and she was so excited to meet Ben Shephard.”

 

Kadie added how it was difficult to watch the episode, saying: “We’ve had the DVD since she went on the show, but I couldn’t bring myself to watch it.

“I did watch it, though after it had been live. Once I got round to it, I’m glad I did.”

Cath’s neighbour, Chris Howard, 58, also paid tribute to her.

He said: “It was quite shocking to hear. Our street became a kind of Covid family when the pandemic came around, we all came together.

“She was a lovely lady, if you swore she’d tell you off. Even though she was ill, she stayed strong.”

He also watched the show: “I did watch it, it put a smile on my face. She was always joking, and when she said ‘I don’t want to go home’ – that’s Cath.”

Cath was seen competing against two other contestants in the show based on the coin pusher arcade game.

All smiles, Cath was the first to leave the show saying she ‘didn’t want to go home’ with Ben responding, ‘I don’t want you to go home either’ adding she had been ‘wonderful’.