Phillip Schofield struggled to hold back tears after a This Morning guest paid an emotional tribute to late wife.
Bob Lowe, from Hampshire, read a moving poem he wrote for his wife Kath, who died in 2011.
He was on the show, speaking about loneliness in lockdown with Dame Esther Rantzen.
Her charity, which Bob is a champion for, operates the only confidential, free helpline for older people across the UK that’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year.
As part of the segment, Bob offered to read his poem, named an Ode to Kath, which became a viral sensation in 2014.
The poem reads:
I am alone, now I know it’s true
There was a time when we were two
Those were the days when we would chat
Doing little jobs of this and that
We’d go to the shops and select our meals
But now I’m one I know how it feels
To try and cook or have meals on wheels
The rooms are empty there’s not a sound
Sometimes I’m lost and wander round
To look for jobs that I can do
To bring back the days when we were two
When darkness falls and curtains drawn
That’s when I feel most forlorn
But I must be honest and tell the truth
I’m not quite alone and here’s the proof
Because beside me in her chair
She quietly waits our time to share
Kath said to me some time ago
Darling when the time comes for us to go
Let’s mix our ashes and be together
So we can snuggle up for ever and ever.
Following the reading, the camera cut to Phil, who was visibly upset.
Choking on his words, Phil said: "Ooh well, I hadn't heard that before."
Holly responded: "No it's quite tough isn't it?"
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