RTÉ presenter Baz Ashmawy has released a touching tribute to DIY SOS favourite Johnny Aylward who passed away following a battle with motor neurone disease.
Johnny touched the hearts and minds of the nation after appearing on the RTÉ show in April 2022, with more than half a million people tuning in to watch the Aylward family's story, Dublin Live reported.
Johnny became a fan favourite as they transformed a plot of land on the Wexford Kilkenny border to a dream home.
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Johnny passed away on March 13, with his loving family by his side in their home that featured on the RTÉ show.
He is remembered with love by his heartbroken wife Lynn, mother Minnie, children Kelly, Aaron and his partner Aoife, Colin, Cian, Daire and Mikey, grandson Fionn, son-in-law David, brothers, sisters, extended family, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
Presenter Baz Ashmawy bonded with Johnny after the show, with the two becoming good friends.
He said: "I haven't posted in a while and I'm so sad this is the post I am putting up. I'm a little lost for words after the death of my friend Johnny Aylward after his impossible battle with motor neuron disease."
The Irish TV personality said he felt overwhelmed with sadness for Lynn, his children and all the family.
"On a personal level, I've had a lot of sad and wonderful days on DIY SOS but this is up there with the worst of them," he wrote in his touching tribute.
Baz said that he is so grateful that the pair became friends.
He added: "You were a hugely popular man with all the crew and volunteers. That was down to your humour, your dignity, your lust for life, your beautiful singing voice, your love for pints of Heineken and your fowl [sic] f**king mouth.
"I'm very bad at goodbyes Johnny so why don't I just say thanks for pestering me every time United lost. Thanks for the slagging. Thanks for the craic. Thanks for guilting me into going drinking with you by telling me I had to because you were dying. Thanks for all our chats. Thanks for being my friend. I love ya. I'll miss you and.... I'll see ya later!"
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