Jonathan Clough made a heartbreaking plea before he died from a brain tumour aged 37. The TV producer, who worked behind-the-scenes on Strictly Come Dancing from 2017 to 2019, as well as Gogglebox and The Apprentice, was 35 when he was diagnosed with Grade 4 Glioblastoma in 2024. Shortly before his diagnosis, he had returned from an interview for a new television show that would have taken him to Alaska when he suddenly collapsed and suffered a seizure.

Jonathan and his partner, Tracy Martin, were both forced to abandon their jobs and move from London to Wigan with their two young children to live with her parents after he learned he was fighting an aggressive brain tumour. In July 2025, a GoFundMe page was set up for Jonathan, urgently appealing for support to help him access private treatments, specialist care and medication, as well as to explore clinical trials in the hope of giving him more time.

Jonathan and his partner Tracy wrote: "The NHS’s care and support has been incredible, but we are now left with very few options. Brain cancer receives a fraction of the funding compared with other forms of cancer; one of the reasons research is slow to progress and treatment hasn’t changed in 20 years.

"We are now in the process of exploring trials that are happening, hoping that we can find one that Jonathan is eligible for and will be accepted onto. Alongside this, we urgently need access to private treatments, specialists, and medications.

"We are doing everything we can to give Jonathan more time — time to be with our children, time for them to have their Daddy by their side. He’s desperate to see our daughter start school this September, see her first Nativity and just to enjoy watching his children grow.

The devastating plea continued: "But these treatments are frighteningly expensive. We’ve uprooted our lives, moving from London to Wigan to be closer to family for support. We left our jobs and lost our income, focusing entirely on getting Jonathan the care he needs and being together through this.

"The cost of appointments, treatments and medications (as well as travel and accommodation) is overwhelming. Which is why we have reluctantly set up this page. We need help. We have no other choice.

"Any support you can offer will open doors to life-extending options here in the UK and possibly abroad. And buy us more time." The added: "We know it’s hard for everyone at the moment. Believe us when we say that we’re only asking for this help from anyone in a position to do so. We know that isn’t everyone and no matter how close you are to us we will not feel offended if this isn’t the help you can offer.

"Thank you for reading, and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for any help you can give — whether through donations, sharing our story, or simply keeping us in your thoughts."

Jonathan underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy to help fight the disease, but scans revealed the tumour had grown so much that it was inoperable, and he sadly passed away at the age of 37 on Boxing Day.

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Kevin Clifton paid tribute to Jonathan after his death, branding him an "amazing friend" and "amazing father".

He penned: "An amazing friend, an amazing man, an amazing father and a heck of a fighter for his amazing family. I will miss you forever [heartbroken emoji]."

Actor Sam Swainsbury, who set up a GoFundMe after the family launched the campaign to help Jonathan access specialist treatment, penned: "He saw his daughter's first day at school. He then made it to her first play. He then made it to Christmas. He then sadly passed on Boxing Day. He fought for every last second. He exceeded all expectations. He was extraordinary."

He added: "I don't have many more words than that. I still can't believe it. But thank you [heartbreak emoji]."

Gogglebox also paid an emotional tribute to Jonathan after the first episode of the latest series concluded.