Cat Deeley breaks down in tears on This Morning and is comforted by Ben Shephard
This Morning's Cat Deeley broke down in tears on Tuesday's instalment of the show, after a clip of the late rugby star, Rob Burrow, was shown. The 47 year old TV star, who fronts the ITV daytime show alongside Ben Shephard, couldn't contain her emotions as the video saw Rob speaking to his fans in a posthumous BBC documentary, named There's Only One Rob Burrow, which aired on Monday, 3 June.
Rob, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2019, had recorded a deeply moving final message for his supporters before he passed away on Sunday 2 June, aged 41, encouraging them to "be brave", "live in the moment" and to continue "to dare to dream".
Following Rob's poignant final words: "Rob Burrow, over and out," it cut back to the studio, where Ben took a deep breath and said: "Gosh, such a powerful message and a wonderful smile.
"Rob is survived by his wife and children, of course, and his parents.
"He recorded that for a documentary about him - There's Only One Rob Burrow - which is available on iPlayer and certainly worth watching."
Cat was visibly overcome with emotion and struggled to speak, as her co-host Ben, offered a hand to comfort her, and muttered: "Are you okay?"
She laughed nervously and said: "No, I told you I watched it this morning."
Her voice wobbled as she tried to deliver her words, saying: "Losing a loved one is one of the hardest things you will ever go through, which is why Dierdre is here to help you manage your grief today."
This Morning will be holding a bereavement section at 11.15am on Tuesday, 4 June, with the clip about Rob leading to the segment.
Rob's touching speech was broadcast as part of a BBC tribute to the rugby legend who sadly died on Sunday. In his final days, Rob, with characteristic humility, described himself as "just a lad from Yorkshire who got to live out his dream", but to many, he was an inspirational figure far beyond the rugby pitch due to his relentless work for MND charities.
He also called on scientists to keep searching for a cure for the devastating disease. Despite battling MND, Rob continued to communicate and share his thoughts using an eye-gaze machine, which enabled him to speak by selecting words on a screen that were then voiced by a computer.
In his poignant last words featured in the BBC documentary, Rob expressed his hope for a future without MND: "I hope one day we find a cure and live in a world free of MND. By the time that you watch this I will no longer be here. I am just a lad from Yorkshire who got to live out his dream of playing Rugby League.
He also shared his personal reflections on the impact of his diagnosis, especially as a father: "As a father of three young children I would never want any family to have to go through what my family have since my diagnosis. I hope I have left a mark on the disease. I hope it shows to live in the moment. I hope you find inspiration from the whole story."
"My final message to you is whatever your personal battle be brave and face it. Every single day is precious. Don't waste a moment. In a world full of adversity we must still dare to dream. Rob Burrow, over and out."
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