Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield pay heartbreaking tribute to This Morning colleague after his death

ITV / This Morning
ITV / This Morning

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield shared a tribute to a This Morning crew member after his death.

The presenters opened the show today on a sombre note and announced cameraman Charlie Hart, who had worked at ITV for over 10 years, had died after a long illness.

Schofield told viewers: “We're starting with some very sad news about a member of our team."

Willoughby continued: "One of our long-standing crew members Charlie Hart passed away yesterday after battling a long-term illness."

Hart has tragically passed away (ITV)
Hart has tragically passed away (ITV)

A clip then showed Charlie smiling and modelling some clothes on the catwalk with a grin on his face.

"Charlie spent more than ten years with us at ITV and it wasn't just behind the cameras that he played an important role," Schofield said. "Occasionally we even managed to tease him out in front of the camera, even appearing in our fashion items."

Hart was a member of the This Morning family (ITV)
Hart was a member of the This Morning family (ITV)

A sweet clip showed Hart walking out on the catwalk in front of presenter Rochelle Humes and Schofield before commenting on the clothes he was wearing.

"Such a lovely guy," Schofield said. "We will really miss him, our thoughts are with all of Charlie's family and children and his grandchildren and his wife Tina."

Willoughby added: "We just want you to know that he will be sorely missed."

Fans flocked to Twitter to offer their own condolences to Hart, his family and the rest of the This Morning crew.

This Morning airs on weekdays on ITV at 10.30am.

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