Eamonn Holmes has opened up about the tragic suicide of his wife Ruth Langsford's sister Julia.
The This Morning host, 60, said his late sister-in-law was "tortured by mental depression" before she was found dead at her home in Surrey in June last year.
He has admitted that Ruth, who took time off from the ITV chat show following the tragedy, felt guilty when Julia, 62, took her own life.
Speaking to the Human Nature podcast, Eamonn said: "Sudden death is a very, very difficult thing to deal with, and with Julia you know, she was just the most lovely, gentile, kind person.
"I often used to joke to her and Ruth that I got the wrong sister, but she was a lovely, lovely person – tortured by mental depression.
"Ruth was very caring, very loving to her and I think there can often be a guilt when you think, 'Should I have been there? Where was I?'"
He added: "You can't press the rewind button and what I would honestly say is that we were always very supportive.
"We were a loving family, Ruth could not have done more for her sister, and I think you know, it takes a lot of getting over that, a lot of getting over."
A heartbroken Ruth announced her sister's death on Twitter.
She wrote: "My lovely Sis Julia has sadly died after a very long illness.
"My heart is completely broken. She was the kindest and most gentle soul and I will miss her forever.
"As I am sure you will appreciate I need to take time to grieve with my family. Thank you for your understanding."
An inquest into her death in November found that Julia took her own life.
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