TRIBUTES were being paid this week to a popular former BBC Somerset breakfast presenter who grew up in Cannington and who died at the weekend, a year after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

Emma Britton was 52 and died with family at her side in Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, on Saturday (May 23).

She presented BBC Radio Somerset’s ‘Morning Show’ from 2009 to 2016 before moving on to host ‘Breakfast’ on BBC Radio Bristol.

Emma was talent-spotted when appearing as a guest on the Somerset station to talk about her community work as ‘Extra-Large Emma’, a plus-size inclusive fitness instructor.

She liked to describe herself as ‘a guest who never went home’.

Emma was hugely popular with audiences at both stations, not only on air but also out meeting listeners when hosting community events and outside broadcasts.

She spearheaded multiple station fund-raising efforts, helping to raise tens of thousands of pounds for charity.

Then, she stepped down in 2020 to pursue her passion for supporting local families as a funeral celebrant, although she continued to cover occasional shows on the station.

Emma was diagnosed in April of last year with the rare ALK-positive lung cancer, which is caused by a genetic abnormality.

It is incurable and typically affects non-smokers, many of whom are diagnosed before the age of 50.

She openly shared her treatment journey on air and online, raising awareness and funds for the ALK+ UK charity.

Despite her own incurable diagnosis, she continued supporting grieving families through funerals and celebrations of life.

During her final few weeks, Emma spoke at two major conferences in Europe, helping cancer specialists to understand how it feels to be a patient.

She also raised thousands of pounds for ALK+ UK by organising a sell-out charity ball.

Emma attended Cannington Primary School before going on to Haygrove School, in Bridgwater.