This is the second in a series of interviews as high profile members of our community open up about their struggles away from the camera involving issues close to their heart.
Theo told us;
“The recent heartbreak of losing my cousin to an asthma attack aged 49” Theo Mayne, 29, star of BBC One’s The Traitors UK, is sharing an emotional and poignant tribute to his beloved cousin Saffron, who tragically passed away unexpectedly from an asthma attack last year, aged 49.
Theo, who was the first ever gay contestant to appear on the hit BBC reality show, wants to raise awareness about the seriousness of asthma and the importance of being open and honest when dealing with grief.
“Saffron was a vibrant, energetic soul who embraced life to the fullest. She always found joy in the moment and celebrated life along the way. She was incredibly kind and caring, always willing to go above and beyond for others. No matter what I pursued, she was my biggest supporter. Words can’t fully capture how truly amazing she was. Though she was 49 in years when she died, her heart and spirit remained forever 21.”
Describing his and Saffron’s close bond, Leeds-based Theo said, “Saffron was my cousin by relation but my best friend in life. Even if we didn’t see each other all the time, we always picked up right where we left off. I could tell her anything, and she would always listen. She played a huge role in shaping the confident person I am today. She was one of the first people I came out to as gay. There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t think about her, and I truly believe she’s still with me in spirit.”
Saffron, who was also from Leeds, had lived with asthma since she was a child, but it had never caused her any major health issues, “She seemed to manage the asthma just fine, using all the correct inhalers properly. Her situation wasn’t something that raised any alarms for us because we believed she was in good health.”
However, everything changed suddenly, “I remember the day of her passing vividly. I was in Leeds City Centre shopping when my sister called me hysterical. At first, I thought something was wrong with her, but then she began to say, ‘She’s died. She’s died. Saffron’s dead!’. Just saying it brings chills to my arms. I was in such shock that I didn’t
even know what I was doing or where I was. I drove straight to my mum’s to meet her and my sister.”
Saffron died on 15th May 2024, a tragedy that shocked the entire family, “It was a freak accident. She was on holiday in Benidorm to celebrate her 50th birthday. She woke up having a breathing panic attack, it escalated, and she collapsed, passing away instantly. The coroners struggled to pinpoint a cause of death, and to this day, we are still waiting for the autopsy results.”
The aftermath of Saffron’s death has been challenging for Theo and his family, “I can’t even put into words how difficult it was to come to terms with losing her in such an unexpected way. I had plans to be with her in Benidorm, alongside my mum, for her birthday. I often beat myself up, wondering if I had been on that trip with them, would it have happened? Could I have somehow prevented her passing away?”
Theo emphasises the importance of addressing grief openly, “Coming to terms with Saffron’s death was incredibly hard. I shut people out because I’ve always struggled to share my emotions. But I’ve learned that grief is okay, it’s okay to cry. Grief can consume you in ways that feel unbearable. The main thing I want to say about grief is that it’s okay not to be okay. It’s okay to feel broken, and it’s okay to take your time. Things don’t get better overnight, sometimes it takes a while. But it’s important to remember that the process itself is a challenge. You might bottle things up, like I do. I know I’ll get better at learning how to come to terms with it.”
Saffron’s sudden death has inspired Theo to speak out about asthma, in efforts to prevent other families losing a loved one like his has, “Asthma can be a serious illness, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Saffron managed her condition well, but her death serves as a stark reminder of how unpredictable asthma can be.”
Asthma is a prevalent condition in the UK, affecting around 5.4 million people, including 1.1 million children. According to Asthma UK, approximately 1,500 people die from asthma attacks each year, with one death occurring roughly every 10 hours.
As Theo reflects on Saffron’s life, he wants her to be remembered for the joy she brought, “Saffron embraced every moment with passion and focus, reminding me to do the same. She truly embodied the essence of living life to the fullest. To this day, I still feel her with me, supporting me in everything I do and watching over me. While dealing with her loss has been awful, I am committed to honouring Saffron’s memory by living life as she did, with enthusiasm, joy, and love for those around me.”