has called the death of fellow comedian Cal Wilson ‘tragic’.
New Zealand comic Wilson was a popular figure on throughout her 20-year career and died aged 53 on Wednesday.
Expressing her shock on , Rebel wrote in full: ‘This is so tragic and my heart goes out to Cal’s family. I was very very lucky to work with Cal on multiple projects especially over the last few years where she wrote brilliant material for me.’
Rebel, 43, added: ‘She was amazingly talented and amazingly kind.’
Wilson’s agency confirmed her death this week in a statement that read: ‘[Wilson died on Wednesday] surrounded by family and friends after a short illness at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney.’
It continued: ‘Cal’s generosity, talent and friendship have been constants in the Australian comedy scene for the last twenty years. Cal was loved by her family, friends, fans and peers and a huge hole has been torn in the heart of our community.’
Born in Christchurch in 1970, Wilson started her comedy career in 1990 and by 1994 won her first award as part of improv group The Court Jesters.
In 2003 Wilson made the move to Australia and from there started making regular appearances on comedy shows Down Under.
She also worked as a radio host for a small amount of time and in 2016 joined the cast of Whose Line is it Anyway? in Australia.
Wilson even recorded her own Netflix comedy special, released in 2019.
It was filmed at Montreal’s Just for Laughs festival and released as part of the Comedians of the World series.
The star most recently co-hosted the newest Great Australian Bake Off season with Natalie Tran.
Australia’s GBBO was in production when Wilson was admitted to hospital for the first time.
