Johanna was so smart . . . I thought she'd be around forever

Quoted from: http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk

POP star Robbie Williams today paid tribute to Johanna MacVicar, as he spoke for the first time about his "inspiration". Leukemia sufferer Johanna, 27, lost her fight for life on Tuesday night surrounded by her family at her home in Bishopton. In a message from his Los Angeles home, Robbie paid a special tribute to his friend. He told the Evening Times: "Johanna was so beautiful, so smart, so funny, so classy and had so much life I expected her to be around forever. "Distance and time robbed me of a friend. "Johanna will always remain an inspiration and my thoughts are with her mum, sisters, family and friends." Robbie and Johanna forged a lasting friendship several years ago when the singer heard about her campaign to raise the profile of the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust, and vowed to help. At a concert in Manchester in October 2000, he dedicated a song to Johanna, then 23 - and invited her to spend the weekend with him and his band in Manchester, at a top hotel and on their tour bus. Robbie even joined the register of bone marrow donors and gave one of his shirts to be auctioned. Both Robbie and Scots film star Dougray Scott were among the many celebrities who became friends with Johanna, bowled over by her courage. She stunned guests at the glittering Scottish Film Awards in Glasgow by turning up on the arm of the film star. Her night out with Dougray was a 'thank you' for her help on his role in the hit film Ripley's Game, in which he played a leukemia sufferer. Scott was inspired by her courageous cancer battle and when told of her death he said: "I was really saddened by the news. "She was one of the bravest people I've ever met. "My heart goes out to her family at this very difficult time for them." Dougray added: "She will never be forgotten." Friends and family said she was in remission from leukemia, and that it was her lung disease that killed her. In the last weeks of her life, she had been cared for by her mum Angela and her sisters, Brodie, Gemma and Kendal. Despite her tireless efforts on behalf of the Trust, Johanna never found a donor whose marrow matched her own. Her funeral will take place tomorrow at Paisley Abbey - where one day she planned to be married. It is the only venue large enough to accommodate the many hundreds of people who want to pay tribute to her remarkable life. Her family have invited mourners to wear bright clothes in celebration of Johanna's life and sunny personality. The 9am funeral will be followed by a private cremation. Rather than flowers, donations are being invited to the Anthony Nolan Trust. For details of how to help, contact the Trust on 01555 660388, or go to www. anthonynolan.org.uk