by Thinus Ferreira
The well-known, veteran South African TV and radio presenter Mark Pilgrim died on Sunday morning after losing his battle with stage 4 lung cancer. He was 53.
Mark Pilgrim was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in March 2022. In June 2022 he revealed that it had spread to his femur, his spine and his lymphatic system.
His latest cancer battle for which he was extremely open and public, detailing his multiple round of chemotherapy, treatments and the effects of it on his body, followed after he survived stage 3 testicular cancer in 1988 that had spread to his lungs and kidneys and which he survived.
In September 2022 Mark Pilgrim was open about the setback when he suffered a collapsed lung.
Mark Pilgrim was also very open about the heart attack he had suffered in 2008 whilst in his doctor's office which saved his life but led to 10% permanent heart damage. The heart attack came during the filming and production of M-Net's Power of 10 game show of which he was the host.
"It is with great sadness that I share this news," Lloyd Madurai, HOT 102.7 FM managing director, said in a statement where Mark Pilgrim was a radio DJ.
"Our hero and brother and much-loved radio personality Mark Pilgrim lost his battle with cancer this morning at 10:45."
"He fought valiantly to the very end. Mark passed peacefully with his fiancée Adrienne at home. They were together for his last breath."
"The family thank you for being part of his journey. For loving him and for celebrating him and supporting him always. Mark will be greatly missed by all. May his soul rest in peace."
Mark Pilgrim leaves behind his two daughters Tayla-Jean (12) and Alyssa (10) from his previous marriage with ex-wife Nicole Torres which lasted 13 years, and fiancée Adrienne Watkins.
Mark Pilgrim hosted numerous South African TV shows and radio programmes during his decades-long career and was a DJ at 5FM, 94.7, KFM, and HOT919, was a sought-after voice artists for radio and TV commercials, besides being a motivational speaker talking about cancer.
Mark Pilgrim was a well-known M-Net (DStv 101) presenter and hosted seasons of Big Brother South Africa from 2001, the first season of Big Brother Africa in 2003, the M-Net game show Power of 10, Retail Therapy, 2005's Sex Etc., as well as SABC2's Face 2 Face in 2004 and the magazine lifestyle show New Moves on e.tv.
Mark Pilgrim's autobiography, Beyond the Baldness was published in 2015.
The award-winning radio presenter was inducted into the South African Radio Awards Hall of Fame in 2021 for his contribution to the radio industry.
