Belinda Emmett, 32, loses fight

November 11, 2006 09:00am

ACTOR Belinda Emmett, wife of popular West Australian television personality
Rove McManus, has died after a long battle with cancer.

She died at Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital early today, with her husband,
television personality Rove McManus, by her side.

She was 32.

"It is with great sadness we advise that Belinda Emmett's battle with cancer
has ended,'' Emmett's family said in a statement.
"Belinda passed away just after dawn this morning at St Vincent's Hospital
in Sydney with her family and husband by her side.
"Those close to her have requested respect for their privacy at this time.''
Emmett grew up on the NSW Central Coast and got her acting break when she
appeared on popular long-running soap Home and Away, playing Rebecca
Fisher/Nash, between 1996 and 1999.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer while on the show in 1998, at age 24.
The actor successfully underwent surgery to remove a malignant tumour,
followed by six weeks of radiotherapy.
In 2001, while working on Seven hospital drama All Saints, Emmett was
diagnosed with secondary bone cancer.
"Our deepest sympathy is extended to Belinda's family who have supported her
through this illness,'' the Seven Network said in a statement.
"During Belinda's time on Home and Away and All Saints, she made many
long-lasting friendships.
"Her acting ability and her warmth made her a joy to work with and her
spirit will be remembered.''
Emmett's last television appearance was with McManus on ABC television's
Spicks and Specks Christmas Special, in December last year.
The actor's most recent public appearance was at Seven's 50 years of
television celebration in September.
There, she caught up with many of her Home and Away mates, including Kate
Ritchie, who plays Sally on the soap.
She also attended the recent ARIA Music Awards, but stayed behind the
scenes, watching McManus perform hosting duties.
Prime Minister John Howard today said he was saddened to hear of Emmett's
passing.
"I was very saddened to learn of the death of Belinda Emmett,'' Mr Howard
told AAP.
"She fought a very courageous battle against cancer.
"On behalf of (my wife) Janette and myself, I extend my deepest sympathies
to her husband, Rove McManus, and her family and friends.''
Opposition Leader Kim Beazley also passed on his sympathy to Emmett's
family.
"This is truly sad news which I think will affect all Australians,'' Mr
Beazley said.
"The tenderness and care in their relationship (Rove and Belinda) through
their adversity, I think, has been an inspiration to many many
Australians.''
Emmett and McManus, who went on to be known as television's golden couple,
met at the opening of Fox Studios in Sydney in 1999. The couple became
engaged in July 2004 and married in January 2005, at Mary Immaculate Church
in Waverley, in Sydney's east.
"We're kindred spirits,'' Emmett told a newspaper at the time.