Grand Designs viewers were left in tears at the sad death of a star who was living with terminal cancer whilst passionately leading the project to construct their dream home
Tributes have flooded in for a Grand Designs star, Pep, following the Channel 4 renovation programme’s revelation that she had died during filming after a courageous fight with cancer.
During Wednesday’s (October 22) episode of the reality series, viewers met Malene and her partner Pep, who was living with terminal cancer whilst passionately leading the project to construct their dream home.
They were creating their interpretation of a Viking Hall in a poignant tribute to Malene’s Danish roots.
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Presenter Kevin McCloud visited the couple, who, together with an emotionally committed construction crew, were erecting the house as rapidly as possible, so Pep could savour what time she had remaining in the completed home.
Discussing their objective with him, Pep said: “Nine months is a good time, you can make babies in nine months, so we hope to make a building in that time. We need to get through it because I need to have as much time to live in it as possible.”
Nevertheless, as the episode progressed and renovations were nowhere near completion, it was subsequently disclosed that despite the chemotherapy, Pep’s health was declining as Kevin revealed she had entered palliative care , reports the Express.
The presenter shared: “Right from the beginning, Pep and Malene were absolutely clear. Pep was living with a serious illness, and the pair of them were managing their way through it, with, of course, Pep’s treatment for her cancer.”
After a deep sigh, Kevin continued: “However, in the last week Pep has had one of those meetings with her doctors that any of us would dread, in which she was told that they would be stopping her treatment and they would be moving her to palliative care.”
Throughout the episode, the star’s condition visibly deteriorated as she transitioned from confidently overseeing the renovations to observing from the window, with Malene confirming: “She’s less outside because she really feels the cold now. I know how much pain she’s in.”
Tragically, with the renovation unfinished, Kevin later confirmed: “Just short of three long years, Pep faced down her cancer diagnosis with a courage and determination that was inspiring, but in the closing weeks Pep finally reached the end.”
Devastated viewers were left in tears as they flocked to X/Twitter with tributes, with one writing: “The saddest #GrandDesigns I’ve ever seen. In tears here. Rest in peace lovely, brave lady.”
Prior to the revelation of her death, one viewer predicted: “I’ve got a bad feeling about this one… there are no ‘after’ photos of the build with Pep.” Another distressed viewer commented: “Oh, #granddesigns is a terrible tearjerker.”
A third agreed: “Bloody hell, #granddesigns is very poignant tonight.” One described the instalment as: “A truly emotional tribute,” whilst a fifth added: “This has been a rather sombre #granddesigns episode.”
Returning to Surrey Hill after five months, Malene revealed she was determined to finish the build without Pep and declared: “It’s extremely important for me to finish the project for Pep’s legacy. ” Fighting back tears, she added, “I am going to make sure that build gets finished.”
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