BBC Breakfast host announces tragic news after death of 'extraordinary woman'

BBC Breakfast host Sarah Campbell has announced tragic news after the death of an "extraordinary woman".

During Saturday's (September 27) edition of the hit morning programme, Sarah and her co-star Charlie Stayt updated viewers on the latest news from across the UK and around the world.

They were joined in the studio by Mike Bushell, who handled the sports segment, while Helen Willetts delivered regular weather forecasts.

At the start of the show, Sarah revealed the heartbreaking death of Holocaust survivor Ruth Posner, who has died at a suicide clinic in Switzerland alongside her husband Michael.

"The 96-year-old had escaped a Nazi ghetto as a child, before going on to forge a successful career in the arts. The Holocaust Memorial Trust described as an extraordinary woman," the host added.

The Polish-born actress is believed to have died last weekend at the Pegasos clinic near Basel.

Ruth and her husband Michael, aged 97, sent an email to their family and friends on Tuesday (September 23) to inform them of their decision to die, according to playwright Sonja Linden, who told BBC News that she had received it.

In the email, which was first reported by The Times, the couple said they were "sorry not to have mentioned it, but when you receive this email, we will have shuffled off this mortal coil".

They continued: "The decision was mutual and without any outside pressure. We had lived a long life and together for almost 75 years.

"There came a point when failing senses, of sight and hearing and lack of energy was not living but existing that no care would improve.

"We had an interesting and varied life, except for the sorrow of losing Jeremy, our son. We enjoyed our time together, we tried not to regret the past, live in the present and not to expect too much from the future."

Sonja Linden paid tribute to her close friend, describing Ruth as "the most vibrant, amazing woman," while Michael was a "remarkable, clever, intellectual man".

Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Memorial Trust, added: "Although then in her 80s, [Ruth] made it her mission to speak to as many young people as possible about her experiences during the Holocaust. She hoped that the leaders of tomorrow would learn the lessons of the past.

"Ruth was one of a kind. Full of charisma and warmth, she left an impression on everyone she met. We will miss her."

BBC Breakfast airs daily on BBC One at 6am