Good Morning Britain presenters Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard today paid tribute to newsreader Tony Morris.
The ITV Granada Reports presenter, 57, died at Bury Hospice after being diagnosed with kidney cancer last year
Tony, who presented the regional ITV news programme for 17 years, died on Saturday with daughters Natalia and Rebecca at his side.
While reporting on his passing, Kate, 53, today called Tony a “lovely, warm and brilliant broadcaster” while Ben, 45, said he “had the most wonderful smile”.
Tony’s ITV colleague Lucy Meacock also said a few words for GMB.
“Tony was one of the most humble, one of the kindest, funniest people that you could ever meet.
“I feel so lucky to have spent those 17 years sitting next to him. It was absolutely brilliant.”
Viewers and colleagues in the North West have been left shocked and heartbroken after watching Mr Morris present nightly for more than a decade, even until just a few weeks ago.
His daughter and fellow journalist, Natalie Morris, led tributes from the family, saying: "We lost our incredible dad on Saturday morning.
"He was more than a parent, he was also our best friend. We are utterly heartbroken, but so grateful for the time we had with him.
"We will be offline with family for a while, but so appreciative of the lovely messages.
"We ask that rather than sending flowers people make a donation to Bury Hospice.
"We will forever appreciate the care, kindness and respect that the wonderful nurses provided for dad."
GMB airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.
