Susanna Reid made an earlier than anticipated return to Good Morning Britain on Friday to pay an emotional tribute to her former presenting partner in crime, Bill Turnbull.
On Thursday, Bill's family broke the sad news that the former BBC Breakfast host had died at the age of 66, after a courageous battle with prostate cancer. In a touching statement, they wrote: "“He was resolutely positive and was hugely buoyed by the support he received from friends, colleagues, and messages from people wishing him luck. It was a great comfort to Bill that so many more men are now testing earlier for this disease."
Susanna was one of the first TV personalities to react to Bill's passing. Taking to Twitter, she wrote: "Bill was the kindest, funniest, most generous man in the business. I feel lucky to have worked with him and he taught me everything. But above all, he was devoted to his family and I am heartbroken for them. RIP Bill. We will miss you so much."
READ MORE: Bill Turnbull dies after cancer battle as tributes flood in for ex BBC Breakfast host
And Susanna, who has been absent from GMB since July, continued to honour Bill when she joined Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway on the show as a guest, rather than a host. Heaping praise on the man she hosted BBC Breakfast with for years, Susanna said: "He really was the best. He was the funniest, he was the kindest, he was the most supportive and he was the most generous. That's no disrespect to any of my other former and present TV husbands!"
Susanna also shared her heartbroken she was to learn of Bill's passing, explaining: "I was knocked sideways by the loss of Bill. I don't want to sound sombre talking about him.
"He was delightful company. The first time I met him was more than 25 years ago. He would rewrite every script to make sure it was perfect. He wanted the best programme. He threw everything into every show.
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