COMEDIENNE, entertainer, mother, wife and loyal friend – that was how Oxfordshire broadcaster Ali Booker was remembered last night.

The radio presenter from Wantage passed away early yesterday at Sobell House hospice after a long and public battle against breast cancer.

Ms Booker, whose married name was Ali Chapman, had become a fixture on Oxfordshire’s airwaves since she began broadcasting with BBC Radio Oxford in the mid-1990s.

She retired from the BBC in January 2007, but was back on the airwaves within a year at commercial station Jack FM.

Her sharp and witty honesty about her illness saw her Cancer Diaries, which were broadcast on Jack FM’s morning show, named special programme of the year last month at the annual Arqiva Awards.

In May, the programmes had won a silver commendation for best community programming in the Sony Radio Awards.

Ms Booker, who celebrated her 47th birthday last week, leaves two children, Joanne and Douglas, and husband Andrew.

Kevin Game, a fundraiser for the hospice in Oxford, said: “Ali was a genuine inspiration to us at Sobell House.

“Her courage in refusing to be buckled by her illness and determination to continue to live her life to the full was astonishing.

“Not only was she a remarkable woman in her own right, but she was also a very good friend to the charity, helping us raise awareness of both Sobell House and hospice care in general.

“We will all miss her and our thoughts go out to her family.”

Ms Booker was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 and beat the disease. But it returned and in 2006 she was given two years to live, after doctors said they could not operate.

BBC Radio Oxford executive editor Steve Taschini said: “Everyone at BBC Oxford was saddened to hear of the death of our friend and former colleague Ali. She was a funny, articulate, caring and supremely knowledgeable member of our team, someone you loved spending time with.

“That’s why she proved to be such a popular presenter. She was always concerned to do her very best to entertain our audiences and to celebrate the very best of Oxfordshire life.

“She started as a volunteer, but Ali soon convinced the station’s management to let her present.”

She rapidly became a firm favourite with the audience and presented a wide range of programmes, ending as the regular host of the afternoon show until her early retirement.

Mr Taschini added: “Ali was a one-off, a brilliant storyteller, comedienne, entertainer, mother, wife and loyal friend.”

Wantage MP Ed Vaizey said: “This is very sad news.

“I mentioned her cancer diaries in the House of Commons last week. I met Ali on quite a few occasions, and the way she fought the cancer made it seem like she was indestructible.”

Tributes were also posted online. Kerrie Griffiths, who left a message at Jack FM’s Facebook page, said: “I only knew her from the radio, but have been incredibly moved by her amazing ‘normality’ and humour through such a tough time. She is inspirational and will be missed.”

Writing about her cancer battle just three weeks ago, Ms Booker said she wasn’t always brave.

She wrote: “I have a wobbly moment, silently in my head while no-one else notices, and I turn into a frightened little girl who’s changed her mind about having terminal cancer now, and would like someone to make it stop.”

  • You can leave your own tributes to Ali Booker on this page or atthe Jack FM website.