Alan Rickman's widow opens up about 'difficult' pancreatic cancer symptoms 10 years on from Harry Potter star's death
Alan Rickman's widow has spoken about the 'difficult' symptoms of pancreatic cancer a decade after the Harry Potter star died from the disease aged 69.
Rima Horton said the biggest challenge with pancreatic cancer is that symptoms are often hard to recognise - meaning many patients are diagnosed when it is already too late.
The actor, best known for playing Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films as well as starring in Die Hard and Robin Hood, kept his illness private and lived for just six months after his diagnosis.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Ms Horton said her decision to speak out was driven by a desire to raise money for earlier detection of what she described as a 'deadly disease'.
'Our motive is to raise money for this deadly disease, because it now has one of the highest death rates,' she said. 'The biggest problem is that by the time that people find out they've got it, it's too late. The symptoms are so difficult to work out.'
Ms Horton explained that she is supporting efforts to develop a breathalyser-style test that could help doctors diagnose pancreatic cancer sooner.
'What we're trying to do is raise money for a breathalyser test which could provide an early diagnosis,' she said.
She added that chemotherapy had extended her husband's life slightly after his diagnosis, but was ultimately unable to cure him.
Alan Rickman's widow has said he had 'so much more to give' before his death from pancreatic cancer- and that there were 'many more things he could have done'. The couple are pictured together in 2015 at Goodwood Racecourse in Chichester
Rima Horton has now spoken out about her husband's death to raise money towards the development of a new breath test to detect symptoms in patients. Pictured: Goodwood Racecourse, 2015
'He lived for six months after finding out he had cancer,' she said. 'The chemotherapy extended his life a bit, but it didn't cure it.'
Ms Horton said Rickman had 'so much more to give' before his death, adding: 'There were so many more things he could have done.'
She told presenters that the average life expectancy for pancreatic cancer patients is around three months after diagnosis.
The actor also appeared in films including Truly, Madly, Deeply, Sense and Sensibility and Love Actually.
Ms Horton also discussed a prize draw organised in memory of her late husband, offering fans the chance to win a set of Harry Potter books signed by some of the films' stars, with proceeds going to Pancreatic Cancer UK.
'All you have to do is buy a ticket,' she said.
The set of seven books has been signed by 12 cast members, including Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley, and Ralph Fiennes, who starred as Lord Voldemort.
BBC Breakfast presenter Jon Kay held up a copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, pointing out signatures from Grint, Helena Bonham Carter, Miriam Margolyes and Imelda Staunton.
Ms Horton said: 'The actors were wonderful. Everybody asked said of course they'd do it.'
The actor, who portrayed potions master Severus Snape (pictured) in all eight films in the series, also appeared in films such as Truly, Madly, Deeply, Sense and Sensibility and Love Actually
Rickman became one of the best-known villains in showbiz - appearing as Hans Gruber in Die Hard, the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Professor Snape in the Potter films. He is pictured here in 2015
Ms Horton said: 'The actors were wonderful. Everybody asked said of course they'd do it.' Harry Potter stars Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint are pictured
About 10,800 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer across the UK each year.
In 2015, Rickman revealed he had secretly married Ms Horton in New York in 2012, 35 years after they began their relationship. He died in January 2016.
A family statement, issued shortly after his death, read: 'The actor and director Alan Rickman has died from cancer at the age of 69. He was surrounded by family and friends.'
Rickman's brother David, 71, added: 'He passed away this morning. He was in a hospital at the time.'
The actor, who was born into a working-class family in Hammersmith, began his acting career on the stage before graduating to Hollywood films.
He became one of the best-known villains in showbiz - appearing as Hans Gruber in Die Hard, the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Professor Snape in the Potter films.
Daniel Radcliffe, who was mentored by Rickman during the filming of Potter, said he was one of the most loyal friends anyone could have in showbusiness.
In a heartfelt online message, the actor said: 'Alan Rickman is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors I will ever work with.
'He is also, one of the loyalist and most supportive people I've ever met in the film industry. Film sets and theatre stages are all far poorer for the loss of this great actor and man.
'I feel so lucky to have worked and spent time with such a special man and actor. I'll really miss our conversations. RIP Alan. We love you.'
Tickets for the prize draw organised in Rickman's memory are available until the Sunday March 1, with a minimum £5 donation to charity.
The organisers said one person will win the complete set of signed hardback books.
