BREAKING: Iconic TV anchor Derek Watts has died

The iconic TV anchor of Carte Blanche, Derek Watts, has lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday morning.

BREAKING NEWS DEREK WATTS HAS DIED ON TUESDAY MORNING

According to reports on social media his daughter Kirsty confirmed the shocking news.

Last month he opened up about his cancer battle and said he will NOT be returning to the show. 

In an interview, Derek said after 35 years of his time with the show, it is now over. He will not be returning. 

The show started in 1988.

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He said the fact that he was not returning to the show was not the end of the world. Adding that they had a discussion about this a while ago, and they decided 35 is a good number. 

HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER IN 2022 ALREADY

“The program is in a good spot. There are wonderful people and journalists who are not scared to ask difficult questions.” 

The 74-year-old Derek also revealed that he kept his cancer diagnosis secret for more than a year before being admitted to the hospital earlier this year. He was hospitalised with severe sepsis.

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“We went for a short walk, and when we came back, my body started shaking, despite the heat. We wanted to go quad bike riding, but I couldn’t get out of the car, and Tyrone said something was wrong. I felt as if I had lost all the strength in my body,”said Derek.

DEREK WAS TAKEN BY HELICOPTER TO THE HOSPITAL

Emergency services were called, and they suspected that Watts had suffered a stroke. He was taken by helicopter to Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg.

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“An MRI scan was done, which showed that I had not suffered any brain damage. Tests also indicated that there is nothing wrong with my heart.”

MRI SCANS AND TESTS SHOWED THAT IT WAS NOT A STROKE

The doctors then determined that Watts had sepsis.

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He told the media that he already started chemotherapy in 2022 after discovering a cancerous lump under his arm. 

Derek and his family kept this quiet. Viewers had no idea that he already started chemotherapy when he filmed the advert for Castle-Light, in which he went viral for his dance moves.

It is believed the open wound under his arm is where the sepsis started.

DEREK AND HIS FAMILY REMAINED POSITIVE DESPITE HIS DIAGNOSIS

The cancer has spread to his lungs. But despite his diagnosis he and his family remained positive. 

Derek has touched the lives of many throughout his remarkable career, and his unwavering spirit has inspired all.