This Morning’s Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield pay tribute to a recent guest who died following COVID-19 diagnosis… weeks after he delighted viewers with his dance moves
This Morning’s Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield paid tribute to one of their recent guests who passed away, after contracting COVID-19.
The presenting duo briefly paused proceedings to honour charming pensioner John Lewthwaite, who just weeks earlier had delighted viewers with his dance moves.
Holly, 39, said: ‘We know it’s hard time for people right now losing loved ones,’ before sharing a clip of John dancing in his care home during his appearance on the show.
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Tribute: This Morning’s Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield paid tribute to one of their recent guests who passed away, after contracting COVID-19
The mother-of-three continued: ‘We were all very sad to hear from John’s family that he passed away from coronavirus.’
Phillip, 58, then went on to read a statement from John’s family, as he informed viewers: ‘They said thank you to This Morning, you made his dream come true. His last eight months were spent in a care home. We would like to thank the NHS.’
The veteran TV personality added: ‘Losing someone like John, if you’ve lost someone over the last few weeks, our thoughts are with you no matter where you are.’
Sad news: The presenting duo briefly paused proceedings to honour charming pensioner John Lewthwaite, who just weeks earlier had delighted viewers with his dance moves
Difficult times: Holly, 39, said:,’We know it’s hard time for people right now losing loved ones,’ before announcing that John had passed away
The on-air tribute comes days after Phillip has expressed his sadness on Twitter after learning of John’s tragic death.
He tweeted: ‘this is heartbreaking’ before promising he and co-host would pay tribute to John when they return to the ITV show after their Easter break.
Phillip was informed of the news after seeing a tweet which read: ‘@thismorning @Schofe @hollywills It’s with great sadness that John from Dearnlea Nursing Home has sadly passed away after testing positive for Covid-19.
‘Please join our village in playing the song he sang on This Morning “Penny Arcade” at 7pm on Saturday part 1.’
Responding to the message, Phil conveyed his sorrow at the news, writing: ‘This is heartbreaking. Holly and I have a week off next week.
Passed away: Mother-of-three Holly continued, ‘We were all very sad to hear from John’s family that he passed away from coronavirus’
Moves: They shared a clip of John dancing in his care home during his appearance on the show
‘We will pay John a proper tribute when we are back. Our love to all his family and friends.’
John thrilled This Morning guests when he appeared on the show last month from the Dearnlea Nursing Home in Rotherham, where he wowed with a rendition of Roy Orbison’s Penny Arcade.
As well as showcasing his impressive vocal talents, John also displayed his jazzy dance moves, much to the delight of Holly and Phil.
He even left everyone chuckling as he had earlier held up a sign which read ‘Coronavirus can do one.’
Following his performance, Holly exclaimed: ‘If you’re going to be on lockdown, you want to be on lockdown with John.’
Upsetting news: The on-air tribute comes days after Phillip has expressed his sadness on Twitter after learning of John’s tragic death
Condolences: Responding to a message, Phil conveyed his sorrow at the news, writing, ‘This is heartbreaking,’ before vowing to pay tribute to John on-air once back on his show