The daughter of a veteran Channel Seven newsreader has died after a battle with an aggressive cancer.

Rob Brough, who has been a prominent figure in Australian broadcasting since the 1970s, left his on-air position in regional Queensland in 2024 to spend more time with daughter Jess Willmott, who was diagnosed with brain cancer.

The devastating news came just a month after she was given the all-clear following a battle with breast cancer.

Sadly, Jess, a mother of three, died on February 5. A private funeral will be held on Friday.

The daughter of veteran Seven News broadcaster Rob Brough has died. Picture: 7News

Jess Willmott had just beaten breast cancer when she was diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer. Picture: GoFundMe
Her husband Tammen shared the news of her passing on a GoFundMe page established to help support the family while he took time off work to be her carer.

“Jess was deeply loved — as a wife, a mother, a friend, and an extraordinary human,” he said.

“The space she leaves behind is immeasurable, and our family is navigating a loss that words cannot fully capture.”

He described her as strong, courageous and truly resilient and thanked the people who stood by them.

“We want to thank every single person who has supported us, prayed for us, donated, and stood beside us throughout this journey. Your kindness has carried us more than you could ever know.”

Brough, 71, anchored Channel Seven’s Queensland nightly bulletins across the Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay and Mackay before he abruptly went off-air in late 2024.

The veteran newsreader took extended leave in 2024 to be with his daughter and her three children. Picture: 7News
He told the ABC last year: “We got to a tough stage where things weren’t working and not a lot of options were available.

“It was just an easy choice for me to leave work and spend as much time as I could around her and her family.”

Brough said his days revolved around helping out with Jess’ three young children on the Sunshine Coast.

“Family is everything and we live together. That’s a beautiful thing because bringing up your children and then being a part of your grandchildren’s upbringing is as good as it gets,” he said.