Laura Nuttall's sister starts podcast about brother's death

The sister of late cancer activist Laura Nuttall is launching a podcast to help others who have experienced the death of a sibling.

Laura, from Barrowford, Lancashire, was diagnosed with a type of brain tumour at the age of 19 and made headlines for completing her bucket list before her death in May 2023.

Gracie Nuttall created The Dead Siblings Society podcast series with sibling support charity founder Calum Fairhurst, who lost her brother Liam aged 14.

Gracie said more needed to be done to help people cope: “It's an issue that's not talked about enough, so that's what the podcast is about.”

Gracie, now 22, was 16 when her sister was diagnosed in 2018 and given just 12 months to live.

Gracie described Laura's achievements as “absolutely amazing”, adding: “To say I miss her every day would be an understatement.”

“I miss her in every way. I miss her with every breath.”

A TikTok video Gracie made about her sister's journey in November garnered more than 12 million views in just over 24 hours, causing a stir.

Gracie said she has received thousands of messages from people with similar experiences empathizing with her pain.

She was invited to talk about the video on BBC Breakfast, where she met as a guest Callum, founder of the UK's only bereaved support organisation specialising in siblings.

His younger brother Liam died in 2009 and Callum, who was 12 at the time, says he still remembers everything that happened that day, including kissing his brother goodbye.

“I never thought at the age of 12 I'd have to say goodbye to my little brother forever,” he said.

The two hit it off, and now Gracie and Callum want to reach out and support others through their podcast, which launches on Tuesdays with new episodes released every two weeks.

“I think there needs to be more conversation and more work done to help children and adults who have lost a sibling because it's an issue that's not talked about enough, and that's what this podcast is about,” Gracie said.

“But (talking) doesn't work for everyone. Some people don't want to talk about it, and that's okay, too.”

Gracie's mother Nicola, who continues Laura's wish to continue raising awareness of brain tumours, was on hand to record the podcast.

“Hearing (Gracie) speak so eloquently about Lola and about her own experience and wanting to help other people was just amazing and I'm so proud of her,” Mrs Nuttall said.