Strictly Come Dancing skilled Karen Hardy broke down as she paid tribute to Invoice Turnbull after his loss of life on Wednesday.
Karen was Invoice's associate on the present when the BBC Breakfast host took half within the movie star dancing competitors within the third sequence in 2005.
Invoice tragically handed away this week on the age of 66 following a "difficult" five-year battle with prostate most cancers.
Karen appeared on right this moment's version of BBC Breakfast as Invoice's former colleagues continued to recollect their "buddy" and the dancer shared her final textual content from the journalist with them.
Karen mentioned: "One in every of my final texts with him, he goes, 'Wonderful how after 16 years individuals nonetheless ask me about Strictly. A few of the greatest enjoyable I ever had. I am at all times grateful to you for that.'"
Karen was discovering it onerous to talk as she battled her feelings, prompting host Naga Munchetty, who was holding again tears yesterday as she paid her personal tributes to the broadcaster, to step in and add: "The bonds which were created and the friendship you had, it was treasured and actually, I do know it is so upsetting, however you've got carried out him proud."
Invoice went public together with his most cancers analysis in 2018, a yr after he discovered he was battling most cancers.
Karen had beforehand shared her "shock" at Invoice's loss of life.
"Yeah it’s an enormous shock. It’s simply hit me now truly. I am at present right here in New Zealand so the telephone began going like loopy. Imagine it or not the final time the telephones went loopy like this from the media, was the passing of Bruce Forsyth," she mentioned.
"It’s one thing to mirror with this gentleman, such a gentleman, such a mentor. Life-changing for me. I believe simply listening to that final abstract of every thing. All of that was going by means of my thoughts after which I met this man that turned out to be my mentor, buddy, oh gosh, a lot. I owe him a lot as a result of it was from that first present and my debut on TV that he made TV magical."
A press release from Invoice's heartbroken spouse was learn out by Naga on BBC Breakfast on Thursday.
"Our beautiful Billy died yesterday night. Virtually 5 years after being recognized with superior prostate most cancers. The final week of his life was very particular as the entire household was with him they usually shared some fantastic moments," she mentioned.
"Though Invoice was usually in ache, he was dignified and courageous all through and he was his standard decided self proper till the very finish. He made us snicker on a regular basis. We're immensely pleased with him. He was the center of our household. It is onerous to think about life with out him."
Get the most recent movie star gossip and telly information despatched straight toyour inbox. Signal as much as our weekly Showbiz e-newsletterright here.
READ NEXT:
TV presenter Invoice Turnbull dies aged 66 after battle with prostate most cancers
BBC Breakfast's Naga Munchetty holds again tears as she pays tribute to Invoice Turnbull
Invoice Turnbull's prostate most cancers signs he missed eight months earlier than analysis