Keating was married with two young sons

Former Blue Peter personalities who co-presented with Keating in the late 1980s said they were "devastated" by news of her death on Tuesday.

Mark Curry said he would remember her glamour and great sense of humour.

Janet Ellis, who remained close friends with Keating after leaving the show, said: "She was a splendid mother... this is just so terribly sad.

"Caron was a lovely, sunny, generous woman whose company always made you feel better," she said.

She was like a breath of fresh air - she truly had the ability to light up whatever company she was in Anthea Turner

"She had a huge number of friends who will miss her terribly. It is horrible for her family at the moment but I am so glad she was able to come home to her family at the end."

Anthea Turner, another ex-Blue Peter host who was a close friend of Keating's for many years, said she battled her illness with "unbelievable courage".

"I knew Caron both personally and professionally before she joined Blue Peter.

"She was like a breath of fresh air when she joined the programme. She truly had the ability to light up whatever company she was in.

"In the last months of her life, she was in the most immense pain which she suffered with unbelievable courage.

Caron Keating presented Blue Peter for four years

"She will remain an inspiration to her many friends and, above all, to her family - including her sons, who are two of the most wonderful little boys anyone could imagine."

Family friend Peter Powell - a former BBC Radio 1 DJ - said she was a "lovely, loyal, optimistic and courageous" woman.

He said her husband, Russ, had driven through the night from a clinic in Zurich to ensure his wife died at her mothers home, in Kent, surrounded by her family.

And former Blue Peter presenter Mark Curry said Keating had kept her illness secret from all but her closest friends.

He said: "Not many people knew because Caron wanted to keep it quiet and everyone respected her wishes.

"I knew one day I would get the call to say she had died but I kept hoping that day would never come. I am just devastated."

Caron was a princess - she was a magical person, impossibly glamorous but never starry Ross Kelly Co-presenter

Blue Peter editor Richard Marson said: "Caron was famous for her fashion sense and one of the most popular competitions Blue Peter has ever run was for viewers to design an off-the-wall outfit for her.

"Caron was an incredible person and a brilliant presenter. All of the Blue Peter team send their deepest sympathy to her family and friends."

TV presenter Philip Schofield said Keating had "wicked Irish charm and humour".

'Brave'

He added: "She was bright, beautiful, vivacious, and loved life.

"She was an intelligent broadcaster, great mum, loving wife, and fought the bravest battle against cancer. We'll all miss her."

Family friend Sir Cliff Richard said Keating's death was a great loss: "Caron was gifted, talented, wonderful with people and, to crown it all, she was beautiful and courageous to the end."

And Ross Kelly, who co-hosted ITV's This Morning programme with Keating, said: "Caron was a princess. She was a magical person, impossibly glamorous but never starry."

Presenter Richard Madeley said Keating was one of the dearest and most cherished friends of himself and his wife, Judy Finnigan.

"We have watched her battle this dreadful illness with astounding bravery," he said.

"As well as being one of the funniest and most loveable companions, Caron had a steely courage which seemed to have no limits."