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Channel 4 star Sarbjit Kaur Grewal has died after a tragic battle with lung cancer, aged 72. She was best known for appearing on the channel's groundbreaking documentary series The Family, and was affectionately known to millions simply as "Mum".

Her son, Sonny, confirmed that she had died in his arms on Saturday, as she was surrounded by her family. In a heartbroken statement shared to social media, he wrote: "It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I share the news that our beloved Mum, Sarbjit Kaur Grewal, took her final breath in my arms. My Mum died knowing she was loved and that we never wanted her to go. She was the most beautiful, loving mother we could have asked for and our hearts are truly broken."

He added that she fought "a valiant fight" against lung cancer but said her body "could not take any more".

Sarbijt's heartbroken son continued: "I promised no matter what she would never be alone and I feel blessed as her son that I kept that promise.

"Channel 4's The Family would never have been the same without Mum. She helped the nation better understand British Asian family life and showed that modern Britain is diverse, hardworking and united through family."

Sarbjit and her family became one of Britain's most recognisable British Asian families after starring in the BAFTA-nominated Channel 4 series The Family in 2008.

PR specialist and close family friend Pedro Carvalho paid tribute to Sarbjit's legacy. He said: "The series was groundbreaking, but with Mum at its centre, it showed the important role Asian women play within family and society.

"Sarbjit represented something universal, that mothers are the backbone of every home. In Asian households especially, mums are often the glue holding families together."

Sarbijt shared 51 years of marriage with her husband, Arvinderjeet Singh Grewal, and raised three children in a household built on love, tradition, humour and resilience.

In January 2024, Sarbjit was diagnosed with lung cancer. Despite the devastating diagnosis, she reportedly remained incredibly strong, courageous and positive throughout her battle with the disease.