The Great Australian Bake Off’s Natalie Tran breaks down as she remembers co-host Cal Wilson following her death at age 53: ‘The world is a much sadder place without Cal’

Natalie Tran broke down in tears on The Project on Wednesday evening as she remembered her friend and colleague Cal Wilson following her death aged 53.

The beloved comedian was surrounded by friends on Wednesday when she passed away at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. 

After a segment paying tribute to the late comedian, The Project’s Waleed Aly asked The Great Australian Bake Off host how she was following the tragic news.

‘I think like anyone who had the pleasure knowing Cal, I’m devastated,’ she began.

‘I don’t think you could find a single person who would have anything bad to say about her. She was a beautiful person, so kind and giving and funny…

‘I’m very grateful to have known here… it’s a very sad day,’ she continued, visibly moved. 

Co-host Sarah Harris went on to ask Nat what she was like to work with.

After a segment paying tribute to the late comedian, The Project’s Waleed asked The Great Australian Bake Off host how she was following the tragic news. ‘I think like anyone who had the pleasure knowing Cal, I’m devastated,’ she began

‘Cal was like working with a Santa Claus who didn’t care if you were naughty or nice, you got presents anyway,’ the 37-year-old said, before adding she was wearing earrings gifted from Cal from the first time they met. 

‘She was a cheerleader for every single person who worked with her and we all loved her very much,’ she added.

‘I would describe Cal as someone who absolutely adored and loved [husband] Chris and [son] Digby,’ she said, breaking down.

‘She was one of the greatest humans you could meet.’ 

‘The world is a much sadder place without Cal,’ she trailed off overcome with emotion.

Cal co-hosted Foxtel’s The Great Australian Bake Off with Tran, Darren Purchese, and Rachel Khoo.  

Earlier in the day, Purchese revealed the comedian appeared ‘very sick’ the last time he saw her as he issued a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. 

‘Cal was a light and such a joyful good person, funny and the kindest,’ he wrote.

‘This is so unfair and I will never forget my precious time with Cal.’

He also spoke candidly about the last time he saw Wilson.

‘I am sorry this has happened to such a good person and I cannot get out of my head the last time I saw her when she was very sick,’ he wrote.

Co-host Sarah Harris went on to ask Nat what she was like to work with. ‘Cal was like working with a Santa Claus who didn’t care if you were naughty or nice, you got presents anyway,’ the 37-year-old said, before adding she was wearing earrings gifted from Cal from the first time they met.

‘I would describe Cal as someone who absolutely adored and loved [husband] Chris and [son] Digby,’ she said, breaking down. ‘She was just one of the greatest humans that you could eve meet’

Beloved comedian Cal Wilson has died at the age of 53

Cal co-hosted Foxtel’s The Great Australian Bake Off with Tran, Darren Purchese (pictured) and Rachel Khoo

Earlier in the day, Purchese revealed the comedian appeared ‘very sick’ the last time he saw her as he issued a heartfelt tribute on Instagram 

‘I wish I could give her a hug and tell her how much she means to me and so many people.’

Tributes for the comedian continued to flow following the sad news of her passing.

Aussie actress Rebel Wilson said: ‘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. She was amazingly talented and amazingly kind.’

Adam Miller, who was a finalist on The Great Australian Bake Off this year, also shared a tribute and recalled the moment Wilson comforted him on set.

‘I can’t stop thinking of the time Cal saw me alone in the corner of the Bake Off shed noticing I was rather overwhelmed by it all, and offered me the warmest, most comforting hug,’ he wrote.

‘I burst into tears at the moment, and she just stood there with me sharing wise and hilarious words to get me through that moment.’ 

Wilson was surrounded by friends on Wednesday when she passed away at Sydney‘s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

She is survived by her husband Chris and her son Digby. 

The New Zealand-born star lived in Melbourne but it is understood she was staying in Sydney during the filming of Foxtel’s The Great Australian Bake Off. 

Her exact cause of death is not yet confirmed, but her management team at Token Artists said in a statement on Wednesday that she battled with a ‘short illness’.

Cal Wilson, left, is pictured with her Great Australian Bake Off co-stars, including Maggie Beer (centre) and Darren Purchase