Phillip Schofield has expressed his sadness after learning a This Morning guest had passed away from coronavirus.
The host, 58, shared his condolences on Twitter on Saturday after the shock news that charming pensioner John died after contracting the virus.
Phillip tweeted: ‘this is heartbreaking’ before promising he and co-star Holly Willoughby will pay tribute to John when they return to the ITV show after their Easter break.
So sad: Phillip Schofield has expressed his sadness after learning a This Morning guest had passed away from coronavirus
Phillip was informed of the news after someone tweeted: ‘@thismorning @Schofe @hollywills It’s with great sadness that John from Dearnlea Nursing Home has sadly passed away after testing positive for Covid-19. Please join our village in playing the song he sang on This Morning “Penny Arcade” at 7pm on Saturday part 1.’
They then added: ‘Please join our village in playing the song he sang on This Morning “Penny Arcade” at 7pm on Saturday.’
Responding to the message, Phil conveyed his sorrow at the news, writing: ‘This is heartbreaking. Holly and I have a week off next week.
‘We will pay John a proper tribute when we are back. Our love to all his family and friends.’
Sorely missed: The host, 58, shared his condolences on Twitter on Saturday after the shock news that charming pensioner John died after contracting the virus
John thrilled This Morning guests when he appeared on the show last month from the Dearnlea Nursing Home, where he wowed with a rendition of Roy Orbison’s Penny Arcade.’
As well as showcasing his impressive vocal talents, John also displayed his jazzy dance moves, much to the delight of Holly and Phil.
He even left everyone chuckling as he had earlier held up a sign which read ‘Coronavirus can do one.’
Tribute: Phillip tweeted: ‘this is heartbreaking’ before promising he and co-star Holly Willoughby will pay tribute to John when they return to the ITV show after their Easter break
Condolences: Responding to the message, Phil conveyed his sorrow at the news, writing: ‘This is heartbreaking. Holly and I have a week off next week
Following his performance, Holly exclaimed: ‘If you’re going to be on lockdown, you want to be on lockdown with John.’
While Phillip jokingly added that he wasn’t so sure.
It comes days after Phillip shared his concerns for his best friend who has battled coronavirus.
The presenter admitted his pal was still ‘coughing badly’ after fighting the deadly disease, and said he felt like he’d been ‘run over by a truck.’
Phil and co-host Holly Willoughby both shared their fears about the spread of the coronavirus after speaking to someone who was living in the Chinese province of Wuhan, which has began to lift restrictions after 11 weeks in lockdown.
Pay their respects: ‘We will pay John a proper tribute when we are back. Our love to all his family and friends’
Phil and Holly spoke to Dr Ron Daniels for an update on the condition of Boris Johnson, who has been hospitalised after testing positive for coronavirus.
During the interview Phil and Holly spoke openly about fears for friends and loved ones, as they are unsure when symptoms are severe enough to seek hospital treatment.
Holly said: ‘Friends that I know have said that when you become ill, the thing you don’t realise is that you suddenly have this fear that you’re going to deteriorate and that it’s going to get worse and you’re sort of waiting for that moment when you either sort of call an ambulance or you need to go into hospital.’
Candid: Phillip Schofield has openly shared his concerns for his best friend who has battled coronavirus, admitting he’s still ‘coughing really badly’
‘When is that moment? When do you know when you need hospital treatment?’
Dr Ron insisted viewers should simply listen to their own body, and if they reach a stage when they are unable to perform basic tasks, then they should seek medical advice.
Phillip then revealed that one of his best friends has been battling the deadly disease, and continues to feel unwell.
He said: ‘One of my best friends – he’s had it and had it quite bad and he is obviously compos mentis but coughing quite badly, feeling like he’d been run over by a truck. Bones aching, that sort of thing.’
Hard: He joined Holly Willoughby on Wednesday’s This Morning, as they shared fears about when symptoms for COVID-19 should be considered severe enough for hospital treatment