Sara Cox made a final emotional visit to her dying friend in hospital before she passed away just weeks after her record-breaking Children In Need challenge.

The BBC Radio 2 host has been left devastated by the death of her long-term pal Peta Kennedy at the age of 50.

Devastated Sara took to her Instagram page for an emotional tribute to her mate Peta in which she promised her late loved one would ‘always be in my heart’.

Sara, 50, who completed her 135-mile Great Northern Marathon Challenge last month, uploaded a series of sweet photos showing the pair together.

She posted a picture of her hugging Peta in front of a table of empty alcohol glasses.

Sara also posted one of the pair wearing robes in a spa, larking around on a car bonnet and having fun at a party in fancy dress.

The presenter has previously told of the closeness of their friendship, saying how her favourite thing to do in London was dine out with Peta and her mum Jackie Cox.

Peta’s father told how it meant the world to him that Sara managed to get to see his daughter at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington before she tragically died.

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Sara Cox made a final emotional visit to her dying friend, Pete Kennedy, (pictured) just weeks after her record-breaking Children In Need challenge

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The BBC Radio 2 host (pictured carrying out her Children In Need challenge) has been left devastated by the death of her long term friend, who died at the age of 50

Wally Kennedy said Peta had been admitted to hospital suffering from a mystery illness on November 18.

He told his friends on social media: ‘Our oldest daughter Peta is very ill in the ICU at St Mary’s Hospital. Fingers crossed.’

Wally then wrote in a later post: ‘Thank you to our other Daughters Maria and Vikki – to Peta’s stalwart partner Antony – and to Sara Cox and friends who visited. Spirits raised…but a miracle is needed.’

As the month went on, however, Peta’s condition continued to deteriorate, relying on machines and the care of doctors.

On November 23, Wally updated his loved ones again in a post that read: ‘Our wonderful middle daughter Maria drove us to the hospital as she tries to do every day.

‘Me and Patricia are again sitting at Bed 23 in the Intensive Care Unit of St Mary’s in Paddington speaking quietly to our unconscious daughter Peta.

‘She is linked up to machines to keep her breathing. We are hoping for a miracle with brilliant, caring staff. The finest of humanity from all over the world.

‘We told her QPR won yesterday. Thank you for all your support and kindness.’

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Peta’s father Wally Kennedy said the 50-year-old had been admitted to hospital suffering from a mystery illness on November 18

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Alongside pictures of Sara and Peta together, the grieving father thanked the radio DJ for her support during her friend’s illness

He wrote on November 29: ‘Before other visitors came today I spent an hour alone with peta in Room 2 on Douglas Ward (St Mary’s) singing songs and reciting poetry from Socialist Summer Camp days of the 1980s.

‘She smiled. Love and solidarity to you all.’

Hundreds of messages of well-wishes were sent to the family yet on December 5, Peta’s family announced on social media that she had sadly passed away.

Peta’s father shared a photograph of Sara and Peta at a red-carpet event with both wearing colourful, floral dresses.

Writing alongside the photo, he thanked Sara again for her support during Peta’s illness.

‘Thank you Sara Cox (who visited Peta in St. Mary’s) for the photo,’ he said.

‘Sara is pictured with our beautiful force of nature Peta in days of better health. Rest In Peace darling.’

Since then other tributes have flooded in for Peta, who leaves behind her partner Anthony and a daughter.

One said: ‘What an absolute force of nature she was and will always be so in my memories of her. Rest in music, sweetheart.’

Another close friend added: ‘You were always a fighter, and I was optimistic that you’d be able to fight this time too. I will miss you very much, but I will never ever forget you.’

Tragically for Peta’s family, her death comes almost 12 years after her brother Richard died aged 36 from an unknown cause at his flat in Peckham.

Writing on the 10-year anniversary of his death, his father wrote: ‘We still don’t know the definitive cause of death. He was 36.

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Peta, who leaves behind a daughter and a partner Anthony, has been described as a ‘force of nature’ by those who left touching tributes

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Tragically for Peta’s family, her death comes almost 12 years after her brother Richard died aged 36 from an unknown cause at his flat in Peckham (Pictured: Sara and Peta)

‘We remember his loving and beautiful nature and the extraordinary support we received from so many people – from his NHS coworkers to hundreds in the local community and beyond.’

Sara raised more than £11million for Children In Need as part of her Great Northern Marathon Challenge.

She covered 135 miles on foot across four counties – Northumberland, County Durham, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire – a distance of five marathons across five days.

Sara revealed on Radio 2 the new total and said: ‘You are legends. Every fiver, tenner, every twenty, every thirty. Whatever you gave a couple of quid on the side of the road.

‘The kids that gave their money that they got from the tooth fairy. Every penny goes to helping children and young people in the UK and you are absolutely incredible.

‘If it’s safe to do so, you are not operating heavy machinery, holding a small child or nursing a large whiskey, give yourselves a pat on the back. That is beautiful. Eleven and a half million pounds. We did it together, thank you.’

She made her triumphant return to her Radio 2 Teatime Show on Wednesday, after the ultra marathon challenge.

The presenter received congratulations from Prince William and Stormzy following the huge achievement.