This Morning hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield paid an emotional tribute to the late war hero Captain Tom Moore on Wednesday.
Captain Tom, who won the hearts of the nation last year with his fundraising efforts, sadly died on Tuesday aged 100, after battling pneumonia and coronavirus.
And remembering his life, the ITV show honoured the Second World War veteran with a moving picture montage and poignant words highlighting the achievements in his life.
Tribute: This Morning hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield paid an emotional tribute to the late war hero Captain Tom Moore on Wednesday
This Morning opened with Holly, 39, and Phillip, 48, sat in silence, while music played alongside a quote said by Tom last year.
Holly began by saying: ‘Captain Sir Tom Moore there, we will be remembering his incredible life in just a few minutes.’
What then followed was a compilation of images as they detailed his incredible life and achievements, with Phil noting: ‘He captured our hearts with his wartime spirit, optimism and mantra of “Tomorrow will be a good day”.’
The video then paid homage to Tom as it reflected on his rise to prominence which began with his aim of walking 100 laps of his garden to raise money for the NHS amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Hero: Captain Tom, who won the hearts of the nation last year with his fundraising efforts, sadly died on Tuesday aged 100, after battling pneumonia and coronavirus
Detailing why Tom had become a symbol of hope, Phillip continued: ‘He initially hoped to raise £1,000 but surpassed all expectations and raised a staggering £39million becoming a symbol of hope during one of the toughest years the country has endured.’
As the video continued, Phil went on to detail significant moments of Tom’s last year including him becoming an honorary colonel to mark him 100th birthday and him receiving a knighthood from the Queen in July.
He went on: ‘Captain Tom became an unlikely celebrity worldwide. He went on to break two Guinness World Records becoming the oldest person to get a number one single in the UK charts.
‘He also published an autobiography Today Will Be A Good Day, a children’s picture book. He also became the oldest every cover star for British GQ Magazine.’
After the video ended, a sombre Holly called him an ‘incredible man’, before introducing guests including Katherine Jenkins and Jonna Lumley, who wished to pay their own tribute.
Speaking of Tom, Katherine said: ‘I think like everybody out there I was touched by his story and definitely shed a few tears from his achievements.
What a life he had: And remembering his life, the ITV show honoured the Second World War veteran with a moving picture montage and poignant words highlighting the achievements in his life
‘I was excited to meet him. He surpassed everything I thought he was going to be. He was gentle, warm and humble.’
There was also a video chat with Tony Hudgell, a young lad who was inspired to start using his prosthetic legs after watching Captain Tom’s monumental walk in his garden.
After watching the heartwarming tribute, This Morning viewers took to Twitter to share how moved they were over the dedication to the national hero.
Honour: The video then paid homage to Tom as it reflected on his rise to prominence which began with his aim of walking 100 laps of his garden to raise money for the NHS amid the coronavirus pandemic
Proud: As the video continued, Phil went on to detail significant moments of Tom’s last year including him becoming an honorary colonel to mark him 100th birthday and him receiving a knighthood from the Queen in July
‘Feel like this eulogy for captain sir tom is like the nations grandad im chooked up here’ commented one person.
While another remarked: ‘Catching up on #thismorning and in floods of tears for Captain Tom Moore’
‘#ThisMorning tribute to Sir Tom was perfect’ read a tweet from a third person.
‘In tears watching the tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore on #ThisMorning. Honesty one of the purest and most inspiring souls that has contributed so much for his country’, said a fourth.
With a fifth viewer adding: ‘The tribute to Sir Tom on this morning is absolutely brilliant. Top notch stuff.’
Moved: After watching the heartwarming tribute, This Morning viewers took to Twitter to share how moved they were over the dedication to the national hero
Sir Tom had been taken to hospital on Sunday after being treated for pneumonia for some time and testing positive for coronavirus last week.
His family praised the care he had received from the NHS and said they had been able to spend time with him in his final hours.
In a statement, Hannah and Lucy said: ‘We are so grateful that we were with him during the last hours of his life; Hannah, Benjie and Georgia by his bedside and Lucy on FaceTime.
‘We spent hours chatting to him, reminiscing about our childhood and our wonderful mother. We shared laughter and tears together.
‘The last year of our father’s life was nothing short of remarkable. He was rejuvenated and experienced things he’d only ever dreamed of.
Family: Captain Tom Moore, with (left to right) grandson Benji, daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and granddaughter Georgia, at his home in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, on April 16, 2020
‘Whilst he’d been in so many hearts for just a short time, he was an incredible father and grandfather, and he will stay alive in our hearts forever.’
Buckingham Palace said the Queen and the royal family’s thoughts are with Captain Sir Tom Moore’s family and she is sending a private message of condolence.
Sir Tom’s fundraising efforts raised more than £32 million for the NHS, walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday during the first national lockdown in April.
The veteran set out to raise £1,000 from his charity challenge but his efforts struck a chord with the nation, and praise and donations flooded in.
Rest in peace: Sir Tom had been taken to hospital on Sunday after being treated for pneumonia for some time and testing positive for coronavirus last week