Tributes have been paid to Nicki Waterman, fitness trainer to the stars, following her death from a rare form of cancer.

Mrs Waterman, a member of Belsize Square Synagogue, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour last year.

She was originally told that she would only live until February, but a revolutionary private treatment helped to temporarily fight off the tumour.

The 52-year-old had lost a number of her family members to cancer in the past year. Her husband, Dennis, died last October, while her brother Colin died in February.

Mrs Waterman was well-known as a fitness trainer to celebrities. Her clients included Kelly Brook, Denise Van Outen and Rachel Hunter.

Natalie Appleton, who was previously part of the pop group All Saints, wrote in tribute to her close friend: “There aren’t enough words to express how much we will miss you.

“You were my rock, my inspiration, shoulder to cry on and always there when I needed you, you never failed to make us laugh.”

In March this year Mrs Waterman spoke at an event in Parliament as part of Brain Tumour Awareness Month, where she lobbied for more trials and funding “so that people can have the same opportunity for treatment that I did".

She had promised her husband she would fight to find a cure, she told the JC.