Broadcaster Kerry Smith has passed away following a battle with cancer.

A former star of eighties television series Gloss and host on The Breeze radio station, Smith had been off work since January as she focussed on beating melanoma. She died yesterday.

MediaWorks group managing director Sussan Turner called Smith "a respected broadcaster and a very treasured member of the MediaWorks family''.

"Our thoughts are with Kerry's family and close friends at this incredibly sad time."

The Breeze programme director Ian Avery called Smith "the ultimate professional, and a dear friend".

"Listeners loved her and her colleagues loved her dearly. She will be greatly missed."

Smith hosted the the 10am till 2pm show on The Breeze from 2006 until 2011, and also worked as a presenter on Radio Pacific and RadioLIVE.

As well as playing Magda in Gloss, she worked as a television announcer, weather presenter, and was the host of home improvement show Changing Rooms.

Smith was survived by a daughter, Turner said.