KUALA LUMPUR: Versatile artiste Adibah Noor has died of ovarian cancer. She was 52.
She breathed her last at 7.40pm at Gleneagles Hospital in Ampang here.
Adibah's close friend, actress Datin Emilia Rosnaida confirmed the sad news on Facebook today.
"My dearest friend Adibah Noor passed away at Gleneagles Hospital in Jalan Ampang this evening. She had been braving illness for sometime. Rest in peace Kak Dib," said Emilia.
Adibah's fellow Gegar Vaganza 8 (GV8) participant Ani Maiyuni said that the Kuala Lumpur-born singer, actress and television host had been suffering from ovarian cancer for the last few years.
"I'm shocked and devastated to hear that Kak Dib is no more," said Ani.
However, she added that Adibah's fellow GV8 contestants, particularly those who were close to her, had known about her illness, and kept it secret on her request.
Various artistes, old and new, paid heartfelt tributes to Adibah, and many described her as one of Malaysia's greatest entertainers and beautiful souls.
Film director Osman Ali said: "Malaysia has lost a true queen of entertainment and a most kind, generous and wonderful friend. Rest in peace Adibah."
Singer and television host Zamil Idris who participated in Malaysian Idol 1 said: "Rest in peace Kak Dibah. You are Terlalu Istimewa (too special).
"Malaysia has lost a shining star, a gem, and above all a compassionate, dear friend."
Veteran rock singer Datuk Hattan said: "Malaysia has lost a great entertainer and beautiful soul. May our dearest friend Adibah Noor be placed amongst the righteous."
Singer Nizam Din, who famously sang the romantic duet Bahasa Rindu with Adibah in 2014 said: "Rest in peace my dearest friend Adibah. I'll always cherish our wonderful collaboration."
Actor and director Namron said that he learnt from a mutual friend that Adibah had been suffering from cancer and had undergone surgery during Ramadan.
"We starred in a drama together then. I'm at a loss for words. Malaysia has lost a wonderful entertainer, a wonderful person full of love and an irreplaceable legend."
Veteran composer Datuk Johari Salleh said: "Rest in peace Adibah Noor. May you be placed amongst the righteous. Al-Fatihah."
Adibah's last photo which she posted on her Instagram account last week showed her looking slim and trim.
The photo was taken at a seminar in Kuala Lumpur where she served as the master of ceremonies.
The star of Yasmin Ahmad's films Sepet, Gubra, Mukhsin and Talentime admitted that she had gone on a special diet over the last two months and successfully "shed the kilograms".
Last January, Adibah won the RM20,000 fourth prize in GV8, behind Aliff Aziz, Nikki Palikat and Suki Low.
Adibah successfully sought treatment for Bell's Palsy, an ailment which caused temporary paralysis in one side of her face last December, having suffered from the disease for a year.
Adibah, a Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia graduate, was formerly an English teacher. She made her foray into showbiz after winning Suara 90an Nescafe in 1994.
In 2006, Adibah released her first album Terlalu Istimewa, and its title track earned her Best Vocals and Best Song in Anugerah Juara Lagu 13.
Adibah's other best known films include Mencari Rahmat, Magika, Hooperz, Nasi Lemak 2.0, Hoore Hoore and Juang while her best known television series and dramas include Phua Chu Kang Sdn Bhd, Oh My English, and Bintang Bersama Bintang.