Ruth Langsford tearful on This Morning as show announces Denise Robertson death
RUTH LANGSFORD could be heard struggling with her emotions on This Morning today as she informed viewers of Denise Robertson's passing.
Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes offer emotional tribute to Denise Robertson
The agony aunt, 83, died after as short battle with pancreatic cancer; prompting a huge outpouring of tributes from the ITV daytime show's roster of past presenters.
Introducing the show, an emotional Ruth signalled the return of husband Eamonn Holmes as she said: "Good morning, welcome to This Morning. Eamonn is here today for moral support."
He later said during the programme that his wife's mascara had to be re-applied multiple times during the broadcast.
"Omg Ruth is breaking me already," one viewer tweeted, while another said: "#thismorning Ruth is breaking my heart, keeping her brave face".
Denise Robertson, star of This Morning, has passed away
She was with the programme since its very beginning
Eamonn is here today for moral support
"How sad watching Ruth tearful on #thismorning," a third person wrote.
Holly Willoughby, currently on holiday, phoned in to say: "I found out yesterday but just hearing you guys talking about it, it's so much more real.
"She was a huge part of the family, when I joined she welcomed me with open arms."
She added: "Whatever she did on screen, it was the tip of the iceberg because she did so much behind the scenes. She was a real fighter for everybody. There was nothing she wouldn't do, and it's just so, so sad."
She had fought pancreatic cancer
Eamonn Holmes returned to the show for the episode
Phillip Schofield, talking to Ruth and Eamonn via FaceTime, said: "This is absolutely heartbreaking. I think that, as Holly said, a number of people have said 'we were expecting it', we thought it was going to happen when she was diagnosed and so terribly poorly.
"I think deep down we all knew she was never going to make it back. But because you were expecting it, you don't expect the blow to be so huge."
"My hands are shaking. I watched her work so closely with people, it's just so, so sad."
This Morning airs weekdays at 10:30am on ITV.