"our hearts are truly broken.”
Tributes were paid to Sarbjit Kaur Grewal, the matriarch from Channel 4 documentary series The Family, who passed away at the age of 72.
Affectionately known as “Mum”, she died on May 16, 2026, after a battle with lung cancer.
She was surrounded by family, with her son Sunny by her side when she died.
In a social media tribute, Sunny described the moment his mother passed away in his arms.
He said: “It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I share the news that our beloved Mum, Sarbjit Kaur Grewal, took her final breath in my arms.
“My Mum died knowing she was loved and that we never wanted her to go.
“She was the most beautiful, loving mother we could have asked for and our hearts are truly broken.”
Sunny revealed Sarbjit had fought “a valiant fight” against lung cancer but said her body “could not take any more”.
He added: “I promised no matter what she would never be alone and I feel blessed as her son that I kept that promise.
“Channel 4’s The Family would never have been the same without Mum.
“She helped the nation better understand British Asian family life and showed that modern Britain is diverse, hardworking and united through family.”
Born in Punjab in 1954, Sarbjit moved to the UK during the mid-1960s and later settled in Southall, London.
She married Arvinderjeet Singh Grewal, known as “Bhola”, and the couple built a family rooted in love, humour and resilience.
They shared 51 years of marriage and raised three children, becoming widely recognised after starring in The Family in 2008.
The fly-on-the-wall series offered a closer look at British Asian family life and became a cultural touchpoint across the UK.
PR specialist and family friend Pedro Carvalho paid tribute to her legacy:
“The series was groundbreaking, but with Mum at its centre, it showed the important role Asian women play within family and society.”
“Sarbjit represented something universal, that mothers are the backbone of every home.
“In Asian households especially, mums are often the glue holding families together.”
Sarbjit Kaur Grewal leaves behind her husband, children, grandchildren and extended family, as well as countless admirers who followed her life on screen and beyond.
Her funeral will take place on June 3.
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