Former Neighbours star and model Erin McNaught, 43, and her partner, music producer Stasi Kotaras (aka Stace Cadet), have revealed their precious bub, Obi, has been diagnosed with a large tumour on the right side of his brain.
They noticed a rapid decline over recent weeks: “problems eating, sleeping, and most recently, keeping his head straight” – no one wants a baby wrestlering for neck control.
An emergency MRI led to a neurosurgeon confirming the diagnosis around 6 pm Tuesday night, leaving the family “absolutely shattered”.
They’ve praised the Queensland Children’s Hospital team as “incredible” and remain hopeful that surgery to remove the mass will get Obi back to being his happy self… eventually.
The Timeline & Stats Table
| Milestone | Date/Timing | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baby born | October 2024 | Obi joins the world |
| Symptoms begin | Recent weeks | Decline in feeding, sleeping, head control |
| MRI and diagnosis | Tuesday ~6 pm | Neurosurgeon confirms “large brain tumour” |
| Age at diagnosis | 7–9 months | Reports vary: “seven-month-old” to “nine-month-old” |
| Hospital & treatment outlook | Ongoing | Surgery done; recovery continues with cautious optimism |
Community & Celebrity Support
- Example (Erin’s ex, Elliot Gleave) chimed in: “You got this”.
- Dylan Alcott offered motivational vibes: “Obi will be a fighter like his parents”.
- Melbourne psycho-sexologist Chantelle Otten also pitched in: “kids are tougher than we realise!”.
Aussie Dose of Heart & Hope
This is every parent’s nightmare: a happy little bean suddenly struggling to eat, sleep or even hold their head. Erin summed it up: “We are absolutely shattered… hardest days,” but they’re leaning on family, friends and top‑notch hospital care. Surgery has been done, and while it’s “too early to tell much more,” the family are focusing on each day as it comes.
What’s Next?
- Recovery through surgery and therapy — only time will tell how much remains.
- A public journey — theirs may raise awareness and support for childhood brain cancer. Over 120 Aussie kids are diagnosed yearly.
- Keep sending good vibes, loving comments and prayers their way.
