Strictly Come Dancing professional Karen Hardy broke down as she paid tribute to Bill Turnbull after his death on Wednesday.
Karen was Bill's partner on the show when the BBC Breakfast host took part in the celebrity dancing competition in the third series in 2005.
Bill tragically passed away this week at the age of 66 following a "challenging" five-year battle with prostate cancer.
Karen appeared on today's edition of BBC Breakfast as Bill's former colleagues continued to remember their "friend" and the dancer shared her last text from the journalist with them.
Karen said: "One of my last texts with him, he goes, 'Amazing how after 16 years people still ask me about Strictly. Some of the best fun I ever had. I'm always grateful to you for that.'"
Karen was finding it hard to speak as she battled her emotions, prompting host Naga Munchetty, who was holding back tears yesterday as she paid her own tributes to the broadcaster, to step in and add: "The bonds that have been created and the friendship you had, it was precious and honestly, I know it's so upsetting, but you've done him proud."
Bill went public with his cancer diagnosis in 2018, a year after he found out he was battling cancer.
Karen had previously shared her "shock" at Bill's death.
"Yeah it’s a big shock. It’s just hit me now actually. I'm currently here in New Zealand so the phone started going like crazy. Believe it or not the last time the phones went crazy like this from the media, was the passing of Bruce Forsyth," she said.
"It’s something to reflect with this gentleman, such a gentleman, such a mentor. Life-changing for me. I think just hearing that last summary of everything. All of that was going through my mind and then I met this man that turned out to be my mentor, friend, oh gosh, so much. I owe him so much because it was from that first show and my debut on TV that he made TV magical."
A statement from Bill's heartbroken wife was read out by Naga on BBC Breakfast on Thursday.
"Our lovely Billy died yesterday evening. Almost five years after being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. The last week of his life was very special as the whole family was with him and they shared some wonderful moments," she said.
"Although Bill was often in pain, he was dignified and brave throughout and he was his usual determined self right until the very end. He made us laugh everyday. We are immensely proud of him. He was the heart of our family. It's hard to imagine life without him."
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