Theo Mayne, star of BBC One’s The Traitors UK, has opened up about the heartbreaking loss of his beloved cousin, Saffron, who tragically passed away unexpectedly from an asthma attack at the age of 49. In an emotional tribute, Theo reflects on their deep bond and shares his commitment to raising awareness about the seriousness of asthma, hoping to prevent other families from experiencing a similar tragedy.
Saffron, described by Theo as a vibrant, energetic soul, was known for embracing life to the fullest. “She was incredibly kind and caring, always willing to go above and beyond for others. No matter what I pursued, she was my biggest supporter,” Theo shared. “Though she was 49 in years when she died, her heart and spirit remained forever 21.”
Theo, who hails from Leeds, recalls the special relationship he shared with Saffron, describing her not only as a cousin but as his best friend. “Even if we didn’t see each other all the time, we always picked up right where we left off. I could tell her anything, and she would always listen. She played a huge role in shaping the confident person I am today,” he explained. “She was one of the first people I came out to as gay. There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t think about her, and I truly believe she’s still with me in spirit.”
Saffron had lived with asthma since childhood, but it had never posed any serious health risks. “She seemed to manage the asthma just fine, using all the correct inhalers properly. Her situation wasn’t something that raised any alarms for us because we believed she was in good health,” Theo said. However, everything changed suddenly on the day of her passing.
Theo vividly remembers the moment he learned of her death. “I was in Leeds City Centre shopping when my sister called me hysterical. At first, I thought something was wrong with her, but then she began to say, ‘She’s died. She’s died. Saffron’s dead!’ Just saying it brings chills to my arms. I was in such shock that I didn’t even know what I was doing or where I was. I drove straight to my mum’s to meet her and my sister.”
Saffron died on May 15, 2024, while on holiday in Benidorm, celebrating her 50th birthday. “She woke up having a breathing panic attack, it escalated, and she collapsed, passing away instantly,” Theo recalled. “The coroners struggled to pinpoint a cause of death, and to this day, we are still waiting for the autopsy results.”
Coming to terms with Saffron’s sudden death has been incredibly difficult for Theo and his family. “I can’t even put into words how difficult it was to come to terms with losing her in such an unexpected way. I had plans to be with her in Benidorm for her birthday. I often beat myself up, wondering if I had been on that trip with them, would it have happened? Could I have somehow prevented her passing away?”
Theo is now using his platform to speak out about the importance of addressing grief and mental health openly. “I’ve always struggled to share my emotions, but I’ve learned that grief is okay, it’s okay to cry. Grief can consume you in ways that feel unbearable. The main thing I want to say about grief is that it’s okay not to be okay. It’s okay to feel broken, and it’s okay to take your time. Things don’t get better overnight, sometimes it takes a while.”
In addition to his reflections on grief, Theo is also raising awareness about asthma, an illness that affects millions of people in the UK. “Asthma can be a serious illness, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Saffron managed her condition well, but her death serves as a stark reminder of how unpredictable asthma can be,” he stated.
Asthma UK reports that approximately 5.4 million people in the UK are affected by asthma, including 1.1 million children, and approximately 1,500 people die from asthma attacks each year.
As Theo continues to cope with the loss of his cousin, he remains committed to honouring Saffron’s memory by embracing life as she did—living it to the fullest. “Saffron embraced every moment with passion and focus, reminding me to do the same. She truly embodied the essence of living life to the fullest. To this day, I still feel her with me, supporting me in everything I do and watching over me.”
Through this tribute, Theo hopes to inspire others to take asthma seriously and encourage open conversations about grief, allowing families to heal and prevent future heartbreak.
