Award-winning journalist, columnist and broadcaster Rebecca Wilson dies age 54.

Award-winning sports journalist, columnist and broadcaster Rebecca Wilson has passed away, losing her long battle to cancer on Friday morning.

Wilson’s husband John Hartigan and two sons Tom and Will have released a statement saying, “Our amazing Bec lost her long battle against breast cancer early today.

“She passed away peacefully in the family home in Sydney while surrounded by her loved ones.

Rebecca Wilson. Source: Wikipedia.

“Courage has always been a significant part of her DNA, no less in her desperate battle against her insidious disease.

“Rebecca kept knowledge of her illness a closely guarded secret. The majority of her friends, colleagues and indeed members of her family were unaware of the extent of her illness. She did so to limit their suffering.

“We are so proud that she was so fearless in her chosen role as a sports journalist. She brushed aside evil trolls, bullies and organised crime figures to prosecute her craft."

Rebecca Wilson in 2010. Source: Offsiders.

“She proved that women had an equally important role in sports journalism as her male counterparts.

We dearly love and miss our Bec.”

Working in the Australian media industry for over 30 years, Wilson was known for her tenures at The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph, and for being a regular guest on Beauty and the Beast and Sky News Australia. Rebecca's brother Jim Wilson is a well known sports presenter, and sister Lizzie Wilson is an award-winning freelance features writer.