This Morning remembered Denise Robertson in an emotional tribute show following her death from pancreatic cancer at the age of 83 – leaving fans sobbing on their sofas as they looked back at their favourite TV agony aunt.
This Morning's tribute to Denise Robertson was heart breaking 💔 Such sad news 😥
— Emma (@Emma_Anderson96) April 1, 2016
The tribute show to Denise Robertson was so touching, well done @itvthismorning 👼🏼 #thismorning
— Ami Jepson (@AmiLouiseee) April 1, 2016
Presenter Eamonn Holmes broke his sick leave to join his wife Ruth Langsford on the sofa to host the ITV programme – and viewers were touched by how they handled the difficult task of saying goodbye to Denise.
Awwwwww big hugs to u @RuthieeL u and @EamonnHolmes done a smashing job to remember a legend!
May #DeniseRobertson RIP xx— AJ Mclellan-Cole Esq (@Aidey2010) April 1, 2016
@EamonnHolmes What a wonderful tribute to Denise Robertson – For 'real' people presented by 'real' people – Very moving indeed..
— David Castlefield (@hymie094) April 1, 2016
#thismorning show was a lovely tribute to Denise Robertson and made more special with @EamonnHolmes & @RuthieeL presenting @itvthismorning
— jonie1303 (@jonie1303) April 1, 2016
Ruth Langsford, Eamonn Holmes and Denise Robertson accepting the best daytime television award for This Morning during the 2015 National Television Awards (Yui Mok/PA)
A host of her celebrity friends and ITV colleagues phoned the show to share their memories, including co-presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby who called from their holiday destinations.
An emotional Holly said: “Whatever she did on screen was just the tip of the iceberg really… she did so much behind the scenes that nobody saw… there was nothing she wouldn’t do. It’s just so sad.”
Phillip said that since hearing the news of her illness in February, despite everyone wanting her to return to work, “deep down we knew she was never going to make it back”.
I'm heartbroken at the passing of our @itvthismorning icon Denise Robertson. Kind, thoughtful, caring & wonderful 😢 pic.twitter.com/M6RV4NSgvh
— Phillip Schofield (@Schofe) April 1, 2016
Married TV duo Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan also rang in, with Madeley saying the news “hasn’t come as the blind-sided shock that Ronnie Corbett’s death was yesterday”.
He added: “She did something we all strive to do – she actually made a difference.”
Denise Robertson was much-loved by This Morning viewers (Ian West/PA)
Robertson’s long-time friend Paul O’Grady described her as “feisty, warm, funny and genuine”.
There was a lot of praise for the tributes throughout the show:
Enjoyed listening to some of the tributes to Denise Robertson. Esp. early days including Lily Savage and Mrs Merton https://t.co/3T282NNb7s
— Sara Read (@Floweringbodies) April 1, 2016
Heartbreaking but beautiful tributes to Denise Robertson on @itvthismorning. She was clearly so loved
— Caroline (@OrganicCaz) April 1, 2016
@itvthismorning . What a wonderful tribute show to Denise Robertson. Such an inspirational and sincere lady. RIP Denise.
— Ruth M Smith (@RuthESS) April 1, 2016
Downton Abbey’s Laura Carmichael appeared on the show to talk about her role in the TV drama Marcella, and added her own tribute to Robertson, saying: “She was part of my childhood growing up” – and lots of vieweres agreed.
@itvthismorning what a beautiful tribute for a beautiful soul!!! I feel like I grew up with this lady #DeniseRobertson
— debbie anderson (@ffgn) April 1, 2016
@itvthismorning Devastatingly sad news on the passing of #DeniseRobertson I grew-up watching this amazing lady. It's hit me hard!! 💔😪😪 #RIP
— Joanne Brown (@JoanneBrown81) April 1, 2016
Mummy and I in tears watching This Morning tribute to Denise Robertson. Such a lovely warm woman, she really felt like a friend!
— The Plath Diaries (@theplathdiaries) April 1, 2016
The “matriarch of This Morning” announced six weeks ago that she had been diagnosed with cancer. Her death was announced on This Morning’s official Twitter and Facebook pages, and the special show left viewers in floods of tears.
Crying along with the This Morning team. #DeniseRobertson, everyones's Agony Aunt.
— Barbara (@badpenny1931) April 1, 2016
I'm actually been crying all morning at @thismorningitv #rip Denise Robertson#amazinglady
— LythamLife&Style (@LythamLifeStyle) April 1, 2016
When you've just done your makeup and then you catch the end of This Morning 😭 RIP Denise Robertson!
— L (@_lauracoyne) April 1, 2016
Beautiful tributes to Denise Robertson on @itvthismorning today – the final one made me cry! 😢 so sad she's gone 💔 xx
— Victoria Todd (@VickiGraceTodd) April 1, 2016
RIP Denise.
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