Bradley Walsh paid tribute to Des O’Connor in a moving moment on This Morning as he said he was “like a dad” to him.
The Chase presenter, 60, was on the ITV show alongside comedians Jimmy Tarbuck and Tommy Cannon, the three of them talking fondly of Des, who passed away on Saturday (14th November).
Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield asked Bradley about his relationship with the legendary comedian, and the ITV presenter revealed they shared a close bond.
Holly said: “Bradley, you had a special relationship with him as well and he used to call you his showbiz son.”
Bradley revealed that Des was ‘like a dad’ to him (Image: Getty Images)
The presenter replied: “Yeah, a lady once said to him at a show ‘is Bradley Walsh your legitimate son’ and he joked ‘yes’ and it stayed in his act since.”
Bradley added in the moving moment: “I’ve got to thank Des because I’m sure I wouldn’t be where I am now within the industry without Des’ input and his love and care.
“He was like a dad to me.”
Bradley spoke fondly of the late Des O’Connor who saw The Chase host as his ‘showbiz son’ (Image: ITV)
The heartwarming moment didn’t go unnoticed as one This Morning viewer tweeted: “Bradley Walsh getting choked up over Des O Connor is giving me feels.”
While another added: “Cancel the rest of the running order and stick with these three all morning! Lovely tributes and great stories.”
“Three legends Jimmy Tarbuck Bradley Walsh and Tommy Cannon remembering another legend RIP Des O’Connor”, penned a third.
Former Countdown presenter and all-round TV legend Des passed away aged 88.
Jimmy Tarbuck Bradley Walsh and Tommy Cannon all paid tribute to their good friend Des O’Connor (Image: ITV)
Following a fall at his Buckinghamshire home, O’Connor was hospitalised last week, and had been “recovering well” in the days before his death.
His agent announced the star’s death in a statement, which read: “It is with great sorrow that I confirm that Des O’Connor passed away yesterday.”
Confirming O’Connor had spent time with his family prior to his death, the statement continued: “He was recovering well and had been in great spirits, visited by his family – in accordance with hospital lockdown regulations – and looking forward to going home.
“Unfortunately yesterday evening his condition suddenly deteriorated and he drifted peacefully away in his sleep.
“Des, who was 88, was so well loved by absolutely everyone. He was a joy to work with – he was talented, fun, positive, enthusiastic, kind and a total professional. He loved life, and considered enthusiasm almost as important as oxygen. He adored his family – they were everything to him. He is survived by his wife Jodie, their son Adam and his four daughters, Karin, TJ, Samantha and Kristina.”
The statement continued: “Jodie’s world is shattered, she and Adam and Des’s daughters are hurting more than you could possibly imagine.
“Des was the ultimate entertainer. He loved being on stage – entertaining a live audience. He always said the sound of laughter was like the sound of heavenly music. He had a fabulous international TV career, presenting his own prime-time TV shows for over 45 years. On stage he starred at almost every leading venue throughout the world.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
