BREAKING NEWS: The presenter of The One Show on BBC paid tribute to the beloved star and shared the heartbreaking announcement

Alex Jones and Vernon Kay hosted the latest instalment of The One Show (Image: BBC)

Alex Jones delivered some “heartbreaking” news during Wednesday’s edition of  The One Show.

The Welsh host returned to the iconic green sofa on Wednesday (December 10) to present the BBC One magazine programme alongside Vernon Kay.

The duo welcomed actor Brendan Fraser and astronaut Tim Peake to discuss their current endeavours.

However, before speaking with their guests, Alex informed viewers: “We wanted to take a moment to reflect on today’s very sad news that best-selling author Sophie Kinsella has died.

“Like millions, I really loved the Shopaholic series and thoughts are very much with her family and friends.”, reports the Mirror.

Author Sophie Kinsella has passed away aged 55 (Image: BBC)

The Confessions of a Shopaholic novelist, born Madeleine Sophie Wickham, disclosed last year that she had been diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour in 2022.

A statement shared on her Instagram page on Wednesday (December 10) announced: “We are heartbroken to announce the passing this morning of our beloved Sophie (aka Maddy, aka Mummy).

“She died peacefully, with her final days filled with her true loves: family and music and warmth and Christmas and joy. We can’t imagine what life will be like without her radiance and love of life.

“Despite her illness, which she bore with unimaginable courage, Sophie counted herself truly blessed – to have such wonderful family and friends, and to have had the extraordinary success of her writing career.

Alex and Vernon Kay paid tribute to the “loved” star (Image: BBC)

“She took nothing for granted and was forever grateful for the love she received. She will be missed so much our hearts are breaking.”

Sophie’s novels have sold over 45 million copies in more than 60 countries, and have been translated into over 40 languages. In April 2024, she disclosed her diagnosis of an aggressive form of brain cancer in 2022.

In a social media post, Kinsella revealed she had been undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy at London’s University College Hospital, and had experienced “successful” surgery.

She expressed that she “wanted for a long time to share with you a health update and I’ve been waiting for the strength to do so”.

“At the end of 2022 I was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of aggressive brain cancer,” she shared.

“I did not share this before because I wanted to make sure that my children were able to hear and process the news in privacy and adapt to our ‘new normal’.

“At the moment all is stable and I am feeling generally very well, though I get very tired and my memory is even worse than it was before!”.

“I am so grateful to my family and close friends who have been an incredible support to me, and to the wonderful doctors and nurses who have treated me.”

The One Show airs weeknights on BBC One at 7pm